O&R To Bury Power Lines At Lake DeForest Causeway

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Orange & Rockland plans to begin work Monday on a $2.5 million storm-hardening project to bury the overhead electric lines that run along the causeway that crosses Lake DeForest between Congers and New City.

The work is designed to improve service resiliency and minimize storm-related service interruptions. It is something Clarkstown officials have requested for the past four years.

"I am happy that O&R is moving forward with this project and is addressing the Town's concerns that we have presented to them for several years," Councilman Frank Borelli said. "This upgrade will improve the connection between Congers and New City and will reduce power outages in the future."

The project is part of O&R’s storm hardening program that includes strategically burying critical and outage prone overhead circuits throughout the O&R electric system, making it more reliable.

"Undergrounding overhead electric lines at critical locations has proven to be a valuable tool in reducing storm-related power outages," said O&R Vice President – Operations Francis W. Peverly. "Used strategically, it provides high-value results for our customers and the communities we serve in terms of reducing storm damage and preserving electric reliability."

The project will only put existing overhead lines underground. The utility poles, which are owned by Verizon, will remain as will the town-owned street lights attached to them.

In Tropical Storm Isaias Aug. 4, 10 poles fell across the causeway.

"We are encouraging the other utilities, Verizon and Altice, to join O&R in these efforts on the causeway so we can eventually have all the wires underground," said Clarkstown town Supervisor George Hoehmann.

The contractor crews will be performing the work generally between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Traffic control will be fully deployed for workplace safety as necessary. Motorists should exercise extra caution while driving through the work area. Expect periodic traffic delays and occasional detours as the work progresses.