A major power grid upgrade is underway in southeastern Pennsylvania, aiming to improve electric service reliability for residents and businesses in Lehigh and Berks counties. The project, led by Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT), a FirstEnergy Transmission company, involves rebuilding a 15-mile stretch of high-voltage power lines and replacing key components at four substations.
The Allentown-Lyons-South Hamburg 69-kilovolt (kV) Line Rebuild Project will update aging infrastructure with stronger poles and modern wires designed to better withstand severe weather and other hazards that often cause outages. The improvements are expected to enhance the flow of electricity through the system, making it easier to reroute power during emergencies or maintenance periods. Construction began in August 2025 and is scheduled for completion in November 2027.
Mark Mroczynski, President of Transmission for FirstEnergy, stated: “Reliability is at the heart of everything we do. This project will help ensure that customers across southeastern Pennsylvania have a stronger, more flexible grid that can minimize outages and handle future growth. We’re building a system that works smarter and lasts longer.”
As part of the upgrade, four electric substations will receive new conductors—thicker cables designed to increase capacity. These enhancements are intended to allow the system to handle higher electricity demand during peak times such as hot summers or cold winters, prevent overloads that could lead to outages, restore power more quickly when problems occur, and support continued regional growth.
The estimated $28 million project forms part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s long-term program aimed at modernizing the electric grid. Through Energize365, FirstEnergy plans to invest $28 billion between 2025 and 2029 with the goal of creating a smarter and more secure grid capable of meeting current customer needs while supporting future expansion.
FirstEnergy operates one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the United States. According to its official website, FirstEnergy manages approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines as well as over 269,000 miles of distribution lines. The company serves more than six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.
FirstEnergy emphasizes corporate responsibility through environmental initiatives and community engagement efforts (source). It has been recognized for compliance leadership as well as its commitment to environmental stewardship and military-friendly practices.
Met-Ed—a subsidiary operating under FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company—serves about 592,000 customers within eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania.
