Seeing a Low-Flying Helicopter in Cape May County? Here’s Why

If you live or work in Cape May County, you may have seen a low-flying helicopter recently and wondered what it was doing.

There's a chance you will see the copter again before the end of April.

Atlantic City Electric is Upgrading the Grid

Atlantic City Electric says it's working to modernize and strengthen the local energy grid to withstand more frequent and severe weather events.

As part of this effort, the company is upgrading the electric infrastructure on an existing transmission line running from Upper Township to Dennis Township.

This work began in March and will continue until the end of April, weather permitting.

The Contractor is Using a Helicopter

Atlantic City Electric’s contractor, MJ Electric, will be using a helicopter to perform these upgrades starting in the transmission right-of-way from Beesley’s Point to the company’s Corson Substation, located near Corson Tavern Road and Ocean View-Woodbine Road in Dennis Township.

Atlantic City Electric says the helicopter work will minimize impact on the environment while enabling easier access to energy infrastructure along the transmission line route.

The contractor frequently utilizes helicopters to upgrade and modernize power grids, particularly for high-voltage transmission line projects, pole replacements, and work in environmentally sensitive areas.

Helicopter installation is often selected to avoid disturbing protected areas like marshlands.

They will sometimes use heavy-lift copters, such as the Chinook, for long-line support, pulling ropes, hanging glass (insulators), and transporting utility poles.

The work is scheduled to take place from 7 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, weather permitting.