The ambitious project aimed at upgrading New York’s power grid is set to have a significant impact on the community, prompting concerns among local residents about potential traffic disruptions and pollution. This extensive project, named “Propel NY Energy,” is a collaboration between New York Transco and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), with an estimated budget of $3.26 billion. Once approved by state authorities, the construction is expected to occur underground in Northeast Queens from 2026 to 2030, covering approximately 90 miles. The affected areas will include neighborhoods in Queens such as Whitestone and Bayside, as well as parts of Suffolk and Nassau counties, raising fears of substantial disruptions to local traffic and businesses.

The project specifics indicate that about eight miles will stretch across Queens, extending from Northern Boulevard to the waters east of the Whitestone Bridge. In Nassau County, approximately 58 miles of underground lines will be distributed through towns like Hampstead and Oyster Bay, with only a small fraction—less than two miles—located in Suffolk County.

Currently, the project is in the approval phase, with construction anticipated to commence in mid-2026 and be fully operational by May 2030. Shannon Baxevanis, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for New York Transco, emphasized that the project aims to alleviate congestion in the power transmission system by expanding grid capacity and facilitating the transfer of clean energy. The project team has been in communication with the community for nearly a year and intends to maintain ongoing dialogues with residents.

Recently, representatives of NYPA and New York Transco presented the project’s outline to the Community Board 11 in Queens. First Vice Chairman Victor Dadras expressed concerns about potential construction delays near Bell Boulevard, fearing adverse effects on the local business corridor. Noah Sheroff, Executive Director of the Bayside Village BID, raised issues about the reliance on cars for transportation in the area, noting that any long-term construction-related traffic impacts could have negative consequences for residents and consumers.

Local resident Mr. Li from Bayside echoed these sentiments, sharing worries about traffic issues during the construction phase. “Traffic here is already very congested, especially during rush hours. If construction adds to that, I can’t imagine how challenging our daily commutes will become,” he remarked.

Mrs. Hui from Whitestone was unaware of the project but expressed concerns about potential noise and air quality issues stemming from prolonged construction. “The extended construction time will undoubtedly bring noise and pollution, especially harmful for our seniors and children,” she said.

Baxevanis assured that safety and traffic management plans must receive state approval before implementation. The project team aims to minimize the impact of construction on traffic and the community. She also mentioned that flexible scheduling, such as conducting work during off-peak hours, could further reduce disturbances for local residents.