WESTWEGO, La. — A project aimed at strengthening the electric grid in Jefferson Parish is now underway. Entergy Louisiana and Jefferson Parish officials held a ribbon cutting for the $233 million project on Thursday.
The project aims to reinforce nearly 200 miles of transmission and distribution lines and upgrade almost 7,400 poles to withstand winds up to 140 mph. The goal is to enhance the power grid so that officials can restore power more quickly after a storm.
“We’re all too familiar with severe weather impacts, and this program to fortify our parish’s electric grid enhances our annual preparation and readiness," Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said in a release.
Entergy Louisiana's CEO says the community will begin to benefit from the upgrades as soon as next hurricane season with some of the stronger transmission lines being installed by then.
The project is part of a five-year plan to fortify the electric infrastructure statewide.
Entergy Louisiana says the plan is expected to save $1.2 billion in future storm restoration costs.
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