Jersey Central Power & Light, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has begun upgrading 3.5 miles of a high-voltage power line in Monmouth County to help prevent or minimize the impact of service disruptions for 3,950 customers. The work is part of a series of projects to improve the reliability of the transmission system benefiting more than 150,000 customers in the region.
The 34.5-kilovolt power line runs northeast from JCP&L’s Atlantic Substation in Colts
Neck Township and into Tinton Falls borough. As part of the $11 million project, JCP&L will
replace the existing wires, hardware and structures that have been in place since the 1970s
with new poles, wires and equipment designed to better withstand severe weather elements.
The new wires can carry more electrical load and will be able to accommodate greater customer demand for electricity. They will also be able to carry increased power flow in the
event of unplanned service interruptions on other lines in the area, helping to enhance
reliability and minimize power outages. The majority of the new structures will be wood poles.
The work is expected to be completed in late 2024.
“This important project will help reduce the risk of outages and ensure that our transmission system keeps pace with the growing demand for safe, reliable power by our customers in Central Jersey,” Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L, said.
