Power Line Constructors

What Power Line Constructors does

Power Line Constructors (PLC) is a private, third-generation family-owned outside electrical construction company headquartered in Clinton, New York. Founded in 1963 by Delores Critelli and Elmer Wahl in Utica, NY and relocated to its current 20,000-square-foot facility on Robinson Road in 1972, PLC employs approximately 100 administrators, engineers, superintendents, technicians, and draftsmen. The company delivers five core service lines: traffic signal systems, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), fiber optic telecommunication networks, roadway and highway lighting, and decorative and pedestrian lighting, with historical experience in airport/airfield electrical, hi-voltage transmission and distribution, and institutional security systems. Notable technical work includes a city-wide traffic signal interconnect in Syracuse monitoring roughly 140 intersections, a $7 million NYSDOT Albany–Schenectady interconnect (2004), and an $8 million NYS Thruway Buffalo interconnect (2006).

PLC generates revenue through project-based prime and subcontract construction contracts awarded via competitive bidding and direct negotiation. Its customer base is dominated by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) across multiple regions, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), and a recurring roster of NY municipalities (Syracuse, Binghamton, Utica, New Hartford, Endicott, Pleasantville, Clifton Park). Private work flows almost entirely through subcontract relationships with NYS prime contractors including Tilcon New York, Economy Paving, Slate Hill Constructors, Vacri Construction, and others, functioning as a channel to public infrastructure dollars rather than independent private demand. Pricing is project-by-project bid; no standardized rate card or SaaS-like pricing exists.

The company is currently led by President and CEO David L. Critelli (employed since 1970, President since 2003) and Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary Michael Critelli (third generation, joined full-time in 2015), with Vice President James Moorehead supporting project management. Go-to-market is relationship-driven and procurement-based: PLC pursues state and municipal contracts through formal bidding, accepts subcontract invitations from established general contractors, and maintains memberships in the Associated General Contractors of America (NYS Chapter), the Business Council of NYS, and regional Chambers of Commerce. Employment intake is centralized through an affiliated staffing entity, PLC Trenching Co., LLC. The active project roster publicly lists 24 contracts with completion dates extending into 2028, indicating a multi-year backlog concentrated entirely within New York State.

Name

Power Line Constructors

Legal name

Power Line Constructors, Inc.

Website

https://powerlineconstructors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Power Line Constructors is a private, third-generation family-owned outside electrical construction company headquartered in Clinton, NY, serving NYSDOT, DASNY, municipalities, and prime contractors across New York State with traffic signals, ITS, fiber optic, and lighting infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Construction Services

NAICS

Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130), Utility System Construction (2371)

SIC

Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Overhead Distribution Line Construction (MV/LV) (EUAEACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transmission Line Construction (Overhead & Underground) (IMAFAHAA), Transmission Line/Stringing & Live-Line Construction Services (EUAEABAJ)

Keywords

• Traffic signal installation
• Intelligent transportation systems
• Fiber optic networks
• Highway lighting
• Electrical construction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Clinton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Construction Contracts: Prime and subcontract roles on NYSDOT, municipal, and state agency projects (DASNY, airports) for traffic signals, ITS, lighting, and fiber optic infrastructure. Revenue is project-based and contract-driven, with multiple concurrent active engagements across New York State.
2. Private Construction Contracts: Electrical construction work for private prime contractors, utilities, and industrial clients across the Northeast.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Power Line Constructors is an outside electrical construction contractor that builds and maintains transportation-related electrical infrastructure for public agencies and private general contractors. Core services include traffic signal systems, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), fiber optic networks, roadway and highway lighting, and decorative/pedestrian lighting. The company has operated continuously since 1963 and is headquartered in Clinton, New York.

Product overview

Power Line Constructors (PLC) is a full-service outside electrical construction company offering five core service lines: Traffic Signal Systems, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Fiber Optic Telecommunication Networks, Roadway & Highway Lighting, and Decorative & Pedestrian Lighting. The company operates from its Clinton, NY headquarters supporting public and private contracts across New York State. PLC's services are delivered through a unified team of administrators, engineers, superintendents, technicians, and draftsmen who support all project engagements. The company also has historical experience in Airport & Airfield Electrical, Hi-Voltage Transmission & Distribution, and Prison & Institutional Security Systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traffic Signal Systems Design, installation, and maintenance of traffic signal infrastructure at intersections and along roadways. Sold to state DOTs, municipalities, counties, and general contractors delivering state and municipal roadway projects.
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Installation and integration of intelligent transportation systems, including communications, monitoring, and traffic management infrastructure on roadways. Sold to state DOTs, municipal transportation agencies, and general contractors on transportation projects.
• Fiber Optic Networks Splicing, installation, and maintenance of fiber optic communications infrastructure along roadways and intersections to support traffic signal interconnection, ITS, and agency communications. Sold to state DOTs, municipal agencies, utilities, and general contractors delivering transportation and site development projects.
• Roadway and Highway Lighting Installation and maintenance of roadway, highway, and freeway lighting electrical infrastructure. Sold to state DOTs, municipal public works departments, and general contractors on civil and transportation projects.
• Decorative and Pedestrian Lighting Installation of decorative street and pedestrian-scale lighting for downtown, streetscape, and site development projects. Sold to municipalities, site developers, and general contractors on commercial and public-realm projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• City-wide signal interconnect monitoring ~140 intersections for Syracuse, enabling real-time traffic flow adjustment for rush hour, emergencies, and weather conditions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PLC Trenching Co., LLCcoreOthersPLC Trenching Co., LLC is an affiliated staffing company that handles all resumes, applications, and employment inquiries for Power Line Constructors. Prospective employees are directed to submit information through PLC Trenching's careers portal, and a member of the PLC team follows up. PLC Trenching serves as the exclusive employment processing affiliate for the Power Line Constructors family of companies.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• MYR Group (Sturgeon Electric): Public holding company of specialty electrical contractors including Sturgeon Electric, which performs T&D and outside electrical construction. Comparable on outside electrical contracting services but materially larger and publicly traded.
• M.C. Dean: Major electrical and electronic systems contractor for mission-critical infrastructure, transit, and utility clients nationally. Overlaps with PLC on transportation and outside electrical work, but operates at much larger scale and broader capability set.
• Henkels & McCoy: Large privately held utility infrastructure contractor providing T&D, gas, and communications construction across the U.S. Comparable on outside electrical construction services, though operating at significantly larger scale and broader geography than PLC.

Direct peers

• Five Star Electric Corp: New York-headquartered electrical contractor specializing in transit, transportation, utility, and outside electrical infrastructure for public agencies. Comparable scope of outside-plant electrical work and NY public-sector client base.
• L.K. Comstock & Company: New York-based transit and transportation electrical contractor with overlapping capabilities in traction power, signaling, communications, and roadway electrical for MTA and NY-area agencies. Directly comparable as a specialized outside electrical contractor serving NY public infrastructure.
• E-J Electric Installation Co. Long-established New York electrical contractor performing outside-plant and infrastructure work for utilities, transit authorities, and municipalities. Comparable as a multi-generational outside-electrical firm serving NY public agencies.
• RailWorks Corp: Rail and transit infrastructure contractor providing signal, communication, and electrical systems work for transit agencies and railroads. Comparable on transportation signaling and outside-plant electrical capabilities for public agencies.
• Haugland Energy Group: Long Island-based outside electrical and energy infrastructure contractor working on T&D, substations, and civil electrical projects across the Northeast. Comparable footprint and outside-electrical specialty focus.

Emerging players

• Carina Technology: ITS and traffic management systems provider serving municipalities and DOTs with signal interconnect and smart transportation solutions. Comparable as a specialist in PLC's intelligent transportation systems core specialty, though more technology-focused than construction.

Regional players

• Welsco (Welsbach Electric): Northeast-based outside electrical and lighting contractor serving utilities, municipalities, and transportation agencies. Comparable on outside-plant lighting, signal, and utility electrical construction across overlapping regional markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/power-line-constructors

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Power Line Constructors