MASSENA -- The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees has authorized $11.7 million for refurbishment of transmission equipment at NYPA’s Massena substation and $6.1 million for work at the St. Lawrence River plant.

The Massena funding is a portion of a $31 million grant for upgrades to the transmission systems in central and northern New York.

The NYPA trustees also authorized $6.1 million for work on the right-of-way exiting the switchyard at the St. Lawrence plant.

The plant improvements, known as the Moses Willis Separation Project, will improve the reliability of the only major transmission corridor traveling east from the plant.

The two transmission lines on this path are currently mounted on shared towers. Separating the lines onto different towers will allow the lines to carry more power, relieving congestion during times of high demand and improving system reliability.

The Massena funding stems from a recommendation in Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s New York Energy Highway Blueprint for accelerated construction and repair of the state’s aging transmission infrastructure.

“A strong, state-of-the-art Energy Highway is essential for New York to remain a leader in clean, affordable and reliable energy,” said Governor Cuomo. “In order to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy and to promote increased business investment in our state, we need to start modernizing New York’s energy infrastructure.”