PSEG Long Island has started work to improve the reliability of the electric grid in Riverhead. The project is part of the company’s ongoing “Power On” program, which aims to reduce outages during severe weather by strengthening distribution circuits.
Peggy Keane, Vice President of Construction and Operations Services at PSEG Long Island, said: “We are working hard to reduce the number of outages that occur during severe weather by strengthening the electric lines that directly power homes and businesses. This Power On infrastructure improvement project in Riverhead is part of PSEG Long Island’s ongoing, multi-year effort to continue to improve electric reliability for customers.”
The upgrade work began in late September and is expected to last about one month. Licensed contractors will carry out improvements along distribution lines in Riverhead. To ensure traffic safety, cones, flaggers, and signage will be used at worksites as needed. Local officials will be notified in advance if there are any potential traffic concerns.
The storm-hardening measures include replacing some existing utility poles with stronger ones designed to withstand higher winds. The new poles will have a stronger base but will remain approximately the same height and be installed within five feet of current locations. Coordination with other utilities and municipalities will take place for old pole removal.
Additional upgrades involve installing shorter cross arms on some poles to help wires deflect falling tree limbs rather than catching them, replacing current wire with more durable materials, and upgrading or replacing worn equipment where necessary.
Crews are focusing their efforts on Hubbard Avenue between E Main Street and Sandalwood Lane.
PSEG Long Island serves about 1.2 million customers and invests year-round in preparing for extreme weather events. Since 2014, using funding from FEMA and LIPA, PSEG Long Island has completed storm hardening on over 1,000 miles of mainline circuits.
The “Power On” program began in spring 2020 after FEMA funding ended. Since then, more than 451 miles of vulnerable circuits across Long Island and the Rockaways have been reinforced with stronger poles, thicker wire, and modern equipment. According to company data from the third quarter of 2024 through the third quarter of 2025—excluding catastrophic storms—sections upgraded under this initiative saw a 48% reduction in outage-causing damage compared with other parts of the system.
Mainline circuits are targeted because they serve as the backbone for branch lines delivering electricity to individual communities’ homes and businesses.
Further information about these projects can be found at psegliny.com/inthecommunity/currentinitiatives/stormhardeningprojects.
