FirstEnergy Nearing End of Line Upgrades in Trumbull County

AKRON, Ohio – FirstEnergy is completing work on a project that’s rebuilt and modernizing an existing 138-kilovolt power line servicing customers in Trumbull and Portage counties.

The upgrade affects more than 100,000 customers and will reduce the number of customers affected by outages. In addition, it will reduce downtime when outages do occur.

“Rebuilding nearly 140 wooden and steel structures and installing new, higher-capacity conductor wires will reinforce the line against severe weather and help reduce outages on the transmission system,” said FirstEnergy director of state communications Lauren Siburkis in a statement. 

“Fiber optic cable also will be added for enhanced network communications, allowing grid operators to react more quickly and effectively to disturbances on the system. The line extends approximately 20 miles to connect existing electric substations in Newton Falls and Ravenna,” she continued.

Line construction began in May and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Pictured: A worker replaces 138-kilovolt lines as part of FirstEnergy’s upgrade project.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.