National Grid choppers facilitate area power fixes

National Grid on Saturday used helicopters to begin refurbishing an electricity transmission line that runs through Lynn, Revere and Saugus to meet the area’s growing demand for electricity.Helicopters hovered approximately 150 feet above the ground assisting crews with transmission tower work in the Lynnway/Saugus River area.The helicopters instal-led the transmission wires, which were placed in rollers attached to electricity poles and were pulled through the rollers to complete the installation.The project, which will provide service to several other North Shore communities, is centered on replacing wires and many of the supporting structures and related electrical hardware.It will extend from National Grid’s Golden Hills substation in Saugus, southeast along the Melrose/Saugus border, through the Franklin Park area of Revere and the Rumney Marsh reservation in Saugus and will continue across Bear Creek and the Saugus River into Lynn, ending at the General Edwards Bridge.On Jan. 26-27, National Grid will continue construction activities and will use helicopters again for transmission tower work in the Lynnway/Saugus river area.The left lane on the southbound side of Route 1A will be closed just before the General Edwards Bridge on Jan. 26-27 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. so that crews can safely replace the existing transmission line.The helicopters will be used to transport workers and equipment to transmission line towers in the Saugus River, which would otherwise be difficult to access, according to National Grid.The company may also use barges in the area as platforms to complete the work.In addition, National Grid representatives said the company would make every effort possible to minimize disturbances to the community and its residents.