Baltimore pauses underground power line project
Baltimore Gas & Electric halts downtown transmission plan as costs rise and community and political opposition intensifies.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, Maryland, Baltimore: Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) has temporarily paused a planned underground transmission project in downtown Baltimore following rising costs and growing concerns from residents and political leaders.
The project was intended to connect an expanded substation west of the city centre with a new distribution facility in South Baltimore, in the redevelopment area formerly known as Port Covington, now called Baltimore Peninsula. The infrastructure plan included four 115 kV underground transmission lines along with upgrades to the substation network.
When first outlined in 2019 by BGE’s parent company Exelon, the project was estimated to cost $109 M. However, a cost update published in February placed the expected investment at $407 M, largely due to higher labour and material costs, early procurement of long-lead equipment, additional contractor crews and extended work schedules.
The project also involves a two-storey gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) facility, a design BGE says it is using for the first time. This approach requires vertical cable routing, enhanced fire protection systems and more complex construction planning due to limited space.
Local reports suggest that other electrical infrastructure already planned for the Baltimore Peninsula redevelopment could push the total investment above $500 M.
Residents have raised concerns about possible impacts on electricity bills and disruption to historic neighbourhoods during construction. Opponents have also questioned the need for the project given the slow progress of the redevelopment.
BGE said the pause will allow further engagement with communities and review updated development plans, while noting that the upgrades also address reliability risks from transmission equipment dating back to the 1950s.
Source: ENR East