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Smart Path Connect is a part of a comprehensive portfolio of transmission upgrades being undertaken across New York State to support New York State’s clean energy goals. Together, the projects will enable the flow of an additional 1,000 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy across New York State.
NYPA (New York Power Authority) is undertaking the Smart Path Connect transmission project with National Grid. The project will rebuild approximately 100 miles of transmission. including approximately 55 miles running East-West to be rebuilt by NYPA, and 45 miles running North-South to be rebuilt by National Grid. The work will involve replacing aging wood H-frames with steel poles almost exclusively within existing transmission rights-of-way and replace or upgrade approximately 10 substations along the project path.
Tri-State Drilling LLC was contracted to drill the boreholes for the transmission pole foundations. In order to create these foundations, boreholes needed to be drilled approximately 30 feet deep in hard granite to house the rebar cages and concrete. With approximately 70 miles to cover, Tri-State needed a drilling solution which would be economically feasible for the project to ensure the necessary productivity and completion time.
Consulting with Christen Fisher of Center Rock, Inc., a drilling solution was proposed which included the use of LP Drills. LP Drills are patented pneumatic rock drilling tools which operate in the following way; Air and rotation are provided to a canister which is outfitted with hammers and carbide button bits that are positioned in a specially engineered grid to ensure even cutting across the face of the hole and to promote proper flow of cuttings outward and upward into the calyx basket or into RC collection ports for deephole reverse circulation applications & discharge containment. For very large diameter holes, a pilot shaft is drilled with a full-face LP Drill then a larger diameter LP Hole Opener uses the pilot hole as a guide and drills the borehole out to the required diameter up to 144” (3658 mm).
On this particular project, Tri-State utilized (4) low clearance telescoping Kelley bar drill rigs and the following sizes of Center Rock LP Drills and Hole Opener on the project; 36” LP, 48” LP, 72” LP, 108” X 72” Hole Opener, and 84” LP.
Mike Godfrey, the Project Superintendent for Tri-State Drilling, LLC stated that “without the productivity of the Center Rock LP Drills, we never could have met the required drilling timeline. They consult with us during the bid process, supply top-quality tooling, and their product support team is the best in the industry……I also really appreciate that they are constantly innovating their products.”
The New York National Grid Smart Path Connect foundation project in Boonville, NY. was a success for Tri-State, LLC and is another example of their commitment to the foundation industry and their capabilities as a drilling specialist contractor.
The Smart Path Connect Transmission Project complements and expands upon both NYPA’s Smart Path which was completed in June 2023, and the Central East Energy Connect transmission upgrade project which NYPA undertook with LS Power Grid New York in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region.
