Black River-Clay

Central New York

National Grid’s Black River-Clay project will rebuild approximately 62.2 miles of 115kV electric transmission lines in Jefferson, Oswego, and Onondaga counties. A new substation also will be constructed in East Watertown.

Black River-Clay

Central New York

National Grid’s Black River-Clay project will rebuild approximately 62.2 miles of 115kV electric transmission lines in Jefferson, Oswego, and Onondaga counties. A new substation also will be constructed in East Watertown.

Project Quick Facts

  • Black River-Clay serves three counties: Jefferson, Oswego and Onondaga.
  • The line travels through the towns of Clay and Cicero in Onondaga County; Hastings, Parish, Albion, Orwell and Boylston, and the village of Central Square in Oswego County; and Worth, Rodman, Rutland and Le Ray in Jefferson County.
  • The project will replace existing 115kV wire and structures in the right-of-way. Additional easements may be needed for the construction and operation of the line.
  • Additionally, a new substation will be built in East Watertown to replace our aging Middle Road substation, which will be retired.
  • Also included are access roads upgrades, and technologies to improve response time and decrease maintenance costs. 

Current Activities

Black River-Clay is currently in the fieldwork and design phase. Survey work along the transmission corridor continues, and geotechnical investigations (soil borings) are planned for 2024. Sites for potential construction yards (marshalling or laydown yards) are under evaluation.

Permitting and Participation

This project will require Article VII permitting to proceed. For more information about permitting, please see our Project FAQ page.

The permitting process includes opportunities for public involvement and comment from permitting through construction. To contact National Grid with a question or comment, you may reach us by phone at 844-243-2592 or [email protected].

Once National Grid submits its Article VII Application to the Public Service Commission, interested persons who wish to participate as parties in this case may file for party status. This may be done through the Commission’s website. Further instructions will become available here once the Application is submitted.

Schedule

  • Design & Permitting: Fall 2023–Fall 2025
  • Anticipated Construction Start: Spring 2026
  • Anticipated Construction End: Winter 2027