The Avalon Borough Council received an update on a project to be conducted by Atlantic City Electric that will result in the demolition of the existing Peermont Substation and the construction of a new substation that will handle current and future power demands from the Seven Mile Island. The update was provided by Avalon Business Administrator Scott Wahl during the Wednesday, February 11th meeting of Borough Council. The substation is located along Ocean Drive between 60th and 61st streets in Avalon.Atllantic City Electric logo

“Avalon continues a dialogue with Atlantic City Electric on the progress of this important project that will benefit Avalon for decades to come”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “The end result of this project includes the ability to meet future demands for electricity, reducing the number, scope, and duration of power outages, and a substation that compliments the aesthetic nature of the surrounding neighborhood”.

Avalon’s administration and municipal engineer attended a project update meeting at Borough Hall on Wednesday, February 4th. The Borough was presented with a tentative timeline involving various phases of the demolition of the existing substation and the construction of the new substation. Due to growth over the years in Avalon and Stone Harbor, the current substation has nearly reached capacity which necessitates the need for a new substation to serve the community. This project is fully funded by Atlantic City Electric.

The initial phase of the project is expected to begin in late February, 2015 and conclude before Memorial Day weekend. This phase will include auguring cast piles that will support the substation and the installation of a concrete containment unit that will house the new transformers. For approximately two and a half weeks auguring will be conducted in April during daytime hours that will result in noise created by heavy equipment. This phase will be conducted with the least disruption to the immediate neighborhood as possible. Prior to this work, the de-watering of the construction site will occur. Also in the spring, three temporary electric poles will be erected at the site; they will be removed before the project is finished.

No work will be done between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. A security fence will be erected around the construction site for safety purposes. In September, the current substation will be de-energized and the demolition will begin. The new substation will be completed and brought into service in advance of Memorial Day weekend, 2016. In June 2016, final landscaping at the new substation location will be completed.

Atlantic City Electric has received approvals for this construction project from the Avalon Planning and Zoning Board. The utility continues to secure all necessary approvals from municipal, state, and federal offices and agencies before proceeding with various phases of the project. Following this construction project, Atlantic City Electric intends on upgrading transmission lines and poles that will be more storm-resilient

Atlantic City Electric’s Public Affairs Manager, Veronica Town, continues to be a point of contact for residents who have questions about the project; she may be reached at (609) 463-3805 or via email at veronica.town@atlanticcityelectric.com.

Atlantic City Electric Peermont Substation Fact Sheet February 11 2015