A project route was originally proposed in the July 2024 Article VII permitting application. In April 2025, viable alternative routes were identified in response to extensive input from local stakeholders — including municipalities, community organizations, and civic groups. These routes represented potential pathways to achieve the project’s objectives and were further evaluated for inclusion in the Project’s permitted route. On May 15, 2026, a Preferred Project Route for Queens was filed to the Article VII application with the New York State Public Service Commission for continued permitting evaluation. As of September 17, 2026, all routes have been certificated by the NYS Public Service Commission. The Project Route and all past routes can be viewed at right. More information about the evaluation of Viable Alternative 3 is available below: 

Evaluation of Viable Alternative 3  

 As part of Propel NY Energy’s comprehensive, multi-year routing process, several alternatives in Queens were evaluated including a potential route along the Joe Michaels Mile bike path (Viable Alternative 3). After consultation with New York City agencies, this option was not advanced as viable based on a variety of key factors, such as: 

• City agency determination: The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has stated that: “Parks are not utility corridors…and transmission infrastructure installed via trenching should generally only be sited on parkland when no other viable alternative exists.” Parks noted concerns about closures, and restrictions,  and conflicts with current and future access and capital projects. 

• Construction complexity: Given that trenching was dismissed (see above), horizontal directional drilling (HDD) has been raised as a question for construction. HDD is a selective construction method used when trenching is not feasible and/or to limit impacts to the environment or built assets. In the case of the bike path, HDD would not limit impacts and would likely cause more disruption than trenching. It would require closure of the entirety of the bike path for extended periods of time and additional land for the launch of the multiple drills that would be needed to cross the over two miles of the path.  

• Community use impacts: Joe Michaels Mile is heavily used by cyclists and pedestrians, and Bayside Marina visitors; construction of any type would require closures and access limitations. 

• Availability of a better suited alternative: Another route, identified as Viable Alternative 1, was analyzed and found to fully meet engineering, environmental, and permitting requirements with fewer impacts. This route is part of the preferred route for the project. 

This decision reflects the project’s commitment to selecting routes that meet regulatory standards and ensure the safe, reliable delivery of energy infrastructure needed to support New York’s electric grid.

• A robust electric transmission network is fundamental to power our daily lives. It also supports healthier communities, and jobs and economic opportunity.

  

• Electricity use is increasing and placing more demands on an aging system.

  

• New York’s transmission system requires upgrades and expansion to improve reliability and create the resilient  pathways needed to deliver clean energy to local communities and throughout the state.



Pending regulatory approvals, construction is expected to occur between late 2026 to 2030. Construction will occur at discrete areas along the route and proceed in phases to meet the in-service date.