Traffic & Construction

What We Know

Construction Timeline

We expect the construction phase to last approximately 12–18 months. Major phases include:

1. Site preparation: clearing, grading, and building stormwater infrastructure (2–3 months)
2. Civil construction: pouring foundations, constructing access roads, and laying underground conduit (3–4 months)
3. Equipment delivery and installation: delivering and installing Megapack units, inverters, and transformers (4–6 months)
4. Electrical interconnection: connecting the system to the Carpenter Hill 115 kV substation (2–3 months)
5. Testing and commissioning: testing the system before starting commercial operation (1–2 months)

Truck Routes

Construction will require delivery of 136 Tesla Megapack 3 units and associated equipment. We are planning truck routes to:

• Use state highways and major roads as much as possible
• Minimize travel through residential neighborhoods
• Coordinate with the Charlton Police Department and Highway Department on traffic management
• Schedule oversize loads during off-peak hours when feasible

Hours of Operation

Construction activities will follow Charlton's standard construction hours:

• Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (if needed)
• Sundays and holidays: No construction

During Construction Mitigation

We're committed to being a responsible neighbor during construction:

• Dust control: we will use water trucks and stabilized construction entrances to minimize dust
• Noise management: we will maintain equipment with proper mufflers and prevent unnecessary idling
• Road maintenance: we will regularly sweep public roads near the site entrance
• Erosion control: we will install silt fencing, hay bales, and stabilization measures throughout construction

What We're Still Studying

• Final truck route plan: we will finalize the truck route plan after coordinating with town departments
• Traffic impact analysis: we will analyze and quantify the volume and timing of construction traffic
• Emergency vehicle access: we will ensure construction activities do not impede emergency response

What You Can Influence

• Route preferences: tell us which roads you prefer construction traffic to avoid
• Construction hour concerns: let us know if the proposed hours cause problems for your neighborhood
• Communication preferences: tell us if you want advance notice of heavy delivery days through Share Your Voice