EVERSOURCE TO SPEND $1.1M ON EL UPGRADES

East Lyme — Eversource announced in a news release Wednesday that it is investing more than $1.1 million to upgrade the electric system in East Lyme, a move it says will increase reliability and safety for customers.

The company said it will install stronger and thicker utility poles and equipment that is able to reroute power and limit the number of customers that would be affected by an outage.

About 150 utility poles on Chesterfield Road (Route 161), Boston Post Road (Route 1) and Irvingdale Place in East Lyme will be replaced.

“Our job is to ensure customers have the reliable energy they need to run their businesses and live their lives,” Ken Bowes, vice president of Connecticut engineering at Eversource, said in a statement. “By making these strategic investments, like the ones in these communities, we’re building a more robust and resilient electric grid that will serve our customers well into the future.”

Eversource said the work is expected to be completed by November.

“Eversource and its contractors are coordinating with town officials about potential traffic disruptions while the work is ongoing,” the release states. “Customers may experience short power interruptions at times during the course of the project so crews can safely perform the work and any customers affected will be notified.”