This month, NIPSCO is announcing the start of construction on two multi-million-dollar electric infrastructure modernization projects that will benefit the Town of Munster, City of Hammond and surrounding area residential and business customers. These planned upgrades to the existing energy delivery system are part of NIPSCO’s ongoing system modernization plan that has been underway for the past seven years. This plan is estimated to result in a $2 billion dollar investment back into the natural gas and electric system in the company’s northern Indiana service territory.
Infrastructure system modernization and expansion projects provide a number of positive benefits to local communities and customers. These benefits include a more advanced electrical system with the use of modernized technology features to potentially eliminate recurring service interruptions and lessen the duration time if a service interruption were to occur, provide opportunity for economic expansion as well as the opportunity for new jobs with contracted services and local services that will be performing the work.
In the Town of Munster, construction started on February 7 to upgrade and install approximately 68 aged-wooden utility poles, three new steel utility poles and 1.2 miles of new electrical distribution wire. NIPSCO approved contractor, Aldridge Electric, is performing this work and the project begins near Calumet Avenue and Broadmoor Avenue, traveling west on Broadmoor to Manor Avenue with a small portion of work north on Manor Avenue. Crews will also be working in alleyways and utility corridors in the surrounding area as this upgrade work is completed. Additional upgrades to the underground electrical system near the existing Broadmoor and Fisher substations are also planned and will tie in to supply an energy feed to the new above ground electrical system.
In the City of Hammond, construction is expected to start the last week of February to upgrade and install 82 aged-wooden utility poles, one steel utility pole and 1.7 miles of new electrical distribution wire. NIPSCO approved contractor, Thayer Power & Communication, will be performing this work and the project work will be located near 116th and US 41, traveling south on US 41 to E 120th. Crews will also be working in alleyways near Lake Avenue and Station Avenue.
Safety is a top priority on all NIPSCO job sites. NIPSCO would like to remind residents to travel with caution near all marked construction zones and follow the direction of posted traffic signage and on-site crew members. Due to inclement weather and winter road conditions, please slow down near any construction zone, stay alert and be aware of your surroundings while traveling. By following these safety tips, you can help ensure crew members, yourself and other travelers arrive home safely each day.
NIPSCO thanks the community for their patience as this important electric modernization work is underway and will continue to work with local officials from the Town of Munster and the City of Hammond to minimize direct impact to residents and customers.
