VT–Dam Renovations

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) — A hydroelectric dam in St. Johnsbury is getting a makeover.

Central Vermont Public Service Corp. officials say work started Monday on a $1.3 million renovation of the 81-year-old Arnold Falls hydroelectric project, which is located on the Passumpsic River.

The project involves erecting new concrete dams to fortify the dam, which produces 1.1 million kilowatts of electricity annually — enough to power 200 homes.

CVPS spokesman Steve Costello says the work being performed by Bancroft Contracting Corp. of South Paris, Maine, is expected to complete the project this fall. It won\’t substantially reduce hydroelectric output during construction, but the renovation will boost the dam\’s power output once it\’s finished.