First Quality Expansion Work Continues

CASTANEA TOWNSHIP — Fill work is all but completed and pile-driving has begun as part of foundation work for a new building to  house a third paper machine at First Quality Tissue. When completed, the new machine will add another 184 jobs at the Lock Haven division of Clinton County’s biggest employer. Most recent figures available show 1,700 employees at First Quality’s two installations in the county.

Another component of the project will be underway next month. Local officials have been informed that PPL Electric Utilities is building a new 69kV transmission line to improve electric service reliability to First Quality Tissue. The line will run a total of 2.1 miles from the utility’s Lock Haven Substation near Keller Street in Castanea to First Quality Tissue. Weather permitting, construction will start in mid-September and last about four months. A utility spokesperson said restoration will continue into the spring of 2018.  The crews will be working in the vicinity of Castanea’s W. Keller Street, Greenwood Avenue and the First Quality Tissue plant itself.

According to PPL’s regional affairs director Tracie Witter, rebuilding the line will involve many phases of construction including: tree clearing, building access roads and other access areas; drilling and installing pole foundations; transporting poles and equipment to the work locations; pole erection; wire stringing; and finally restoration of the right of way.

She said all work will take place within PPL’s property, easements and authorized work areas, adding that PPL and its contractors are in touch with the affected property owners.

Production at the third tissue machine is expected to begin sometime in 2019, building construction to begin next year.