READING, PA — A major power grid overhaul is taking shape across southeastern Pennsylvania as FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) advances a $28 million transmission upgrade designed to strengthen electric reliability for thousands of customers in Lehigh and Berks counties.
The project, known as the Allentown–Lyons–South Hamburg 69-kilovolt Line Rebuild, is being led by Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission, a FirstEnergy transmission subsidiary. It calls for rebuilding roughly 15 miles of high-voltage power lines and modernizing equipment at four substations, replacing aging infrastructure with stronger poles and higher-capacity conductors engineered to withstand severe weather and other common causes of outages.
Construction began in August and is scheduled for completion in November 2027. Once finished, the rebuilt line is expected to improve power flows across the regional network, giving operators greater flexibility to reroute electricity during emergencies or maintenance and reducing the frequency and duration of outages.
Mark Mroczynski, president of transmission for FirstEnergy, said the investment reflects a focus on long-term system performance. He said the upgraded line will create a more resilient and adaptable grid capable of supporting future growth across southeastern Pennsylvania, where FirstEnergy’s Met-Ed utility serves customers.
In practical terms, the work includes installing new, higher-capacity conductors at four substations, significantly increasing the amount of electricity that can move in and out of those facilities. The improvements are designed to handle peak demand during extreme heat or cold, prevent system overloads, and speed restoration when service disruptions occur.
The rebuild is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s multi-year grid modernization initiative. Under the program, the company plans to invest approximately $28 billion between 2025 and 2029 to upgrade transmission and distribution systems across its footprint, aiming to deliver a more secure, efficient grid aligned with long-term economic and population growth.
For customers in Lehigh and Berks counties, the project represents a behind-the-scenes investment with visible results: fewer interruptions, faster recoveries, and an electric system built to meet the demands of the decades ahead.
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