Project Overview

The Acushnet to Fall River Reliability Project is one of several planned infrastructure upgrades in southeast Massachusetts needed to support the growing transmission needs of the area well into the future.

The Acushnet to Fall River Reliability Project is a joint project of National Grid and Eversource.

The proposed overhead approximately 12.1-mile, 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line will be constructed in an existing transmission right-of-way, with approximately 7.9 miles located in Acushnet, Dartmouth and New Bedford, MA (Eversource Energy) and approximately 4.2 miles in Fall River, MA (National Grid). The new line begins at the Industrial Park Tap in Acushnet, MA and terminates at the Bell Rock Substation in Fall River, MA.

To learn more about the Eversource portion of this project, please visit their Acushnet to Fall River Reliability Project webpage.

Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

National Grid and Eversource filed an application with the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in December 2021 to seek approval for this upcoming project. Through the application process members of the public and all interested parties had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the project through the EFSB-sponsored public comment hearing conducted remotely using Zoom video conferencing on April 25, 2022. The EFSB issued its Final Decision and Order approving the project in April 2026. National Grid and Eversource continue to work with federal, state, and local agencies to confirm that the project will be constructed and operated in compliance with applicable standards.

Construction Update

In June of 2026, Eversource began work in Acushnet, Dartmouth and New Bedford, MA. National Grid began construction in Fall River on November 2, 2026.

During construction, there will be an increase in vehicles and team members within the area. Construction work encompasses various activities including access route construction, tree work, site preparation, drilling, installation of new structures, and removal of existing structures. Following construction, the project team will begin restoring the project areas.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please reach out to us by calling our toll-free project hotline at (833) 233-7277, or emailing us at Info@SouthCoastReliabilityProjects.com

Project Updates

The week of November 2, 2026, the civil crews performed matting along the right-of-way and associated access ways, while the forestry crew began tree removals within the right-of-way.