A contentious plan to erect a new high-voltage transmission line through sections of Bridgeport and Fairfield was rejected by state regulators on Thursday, an unexpected victory for critics who argued the project would be a towering blight over homes, businesses and churches.

The Connecticut Siting Council — which has the authority over the placement of power plants, transmission lines and other critical infrastructure — voted 5-3 to reject United Illuminating’s application to build its proposed Fairfield to Congress Railroad Transmission Line .

The decision marked the latest twist in the years-long saga over the project, which has been subject to a lawsuit and unsuccessful efforts to get UI to agree to a costlier design that would bury the transmission line underground.

In September,

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