Do you know where in Red Bank the above photo was taken?
Send your answer (or best guess) to [email protected] by noon, Thursday, March 20. We’ll reveal the location the next day.
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Here’s the answer to last week’s “Where.”
Last week’s photo was a close-up of three giant pieces of equipment Where regular Evelyn Kelly called “big spark plugs” inside the Jersey Central Power electrical substation at 160 Newman Springs Road. The substation is also abutted by Mohawk Lane and Central Avenue. This photo was taken where Central Avenue turns into Mohawk Lane. 
“Where” regular was extremely exact in her response: I don’t have the proper words for what that contraption is called but I believe your picture is of the Unit between the 5th and 6th vertical metal posts, starting from the right of the substation itself.”
In October JCP&L went before the Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment seeking approvals for improvements on the site, including “the installation of a new control enclosure and expansion of the perimeter of the substation’s fencing to the south of the property to accommodate the new control enclosure. In addition, a new laminate pole, chain link security fencing, slide access gate and ancillary underground transmission line work will be installed to facilitate future 34.5kV improvements at the substation, along with the replacement of an existing transformer and foundation.”
In short, the place needs an upgrade because we’re all using more electricity.
“It’s no different than if you had more appliances in your home and you need more power,” JCP&L engineer Agung Fu told the board. Fu said the substation currently serves 4,000 customers and the improvements will allow it to handle an unspecified amount of additional customers in the future. It would also “absolutely” lower the likelihood of power outages in the area going forward, he said.
The board approved the upgrades in November. Fu said the work should begin in August 2025.
We got plenty of responses to this week’s photos, most people nailing it, although one person guessed it was Red Bank Recycling, slightly north on Central Avenue. Another guessed it was a substation near Grandview Towers.
Thanks to those who wrote in: Cecelia Freda, William Fraser, Kate Brannan, The Colmorgen Kids, Kathleen Robinson, John Dull, Errico Vescio, Yvonne MacDonald, Deborah Tuzzo, James Cummings, John Eggert, Michael Austin, Rosaleen Perry, Joseph Dignan, Sue Noone, Chuck Stern, Bill Fraser, Evelyn Kelly, Stu Freidlin.
I hope I got everyone. Please email or text me immediately if we missed you at [email protected] or 848-331-8331. Your sharp eyes and hustle should be properly rewarded.
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