Salem-Marblehead Dual Subtransmission Feeder Hardening and Burial Project

The Salem-Marblehead Dual Subtransmission Feeder Hardening and Burial Project is a resilience initiative led by the Marblehead Municipal Light Department to protect the town’s sole electric supply and strengthen a key bike commuting corridor. Marblehead’s coastal peninsula location, aging infrastructure, and reliance on two co-located 23 kV feeders make the community vulnerable to severe storms, flooding, and falling trees. Disruption to these lines could result in a town-wide outage affecting more than 20,000 residents.

The project focuses on the most at-risk feeder segments that share a right-of-way with the Marblehead Rail Trail, which connects Environmental Justice neighborhoods to Salem and Salem State University. Planned improvements include replacing compromised wooden poles and burying approximately 2,000 feet of overhead lines through conservation land. These upgrades will reduce storm damage risk, improve reliability, lower maintenance needs, and protect the surrounding natural landscape.

By hardening critical infrastructure along a low-carbon transportation route, the project supports Marblehead’s broader resilience strategy and prepares the grid for future distributed energy resources. The effort will enhance public safety, protect vulnerable populations, and serve as a model for coastal communities adapting to climate risks.