INDEPENDENCE AREA PROJECT TRANSMISSION LINE UPGRADES Appalachian Power representatives plan upgrades to the electric transmission system in Grayson County. The Independence Area Project: Transmission Line Upgrades involves building about 15 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line. The upgrades provide a second source of power, increasing reliability for area customers. Company representatives expect construction to begin spring 2023 and conclude summer 2024.
WHAT
WHY
WHERE
Proposed project plans involve:
The project:
The transmission line route options begin at
• Building approximately 15 miles of 69-kV
• Provides a second source of power to
the proposed Point Lookout Substation on
transmission line.
customers served out of the proposed Point
Austin Street, off of North Independence
Lookout Substation in Independence. In the
Avenue/Route 21 and near the existing
the Independence Area Project: Substation
event the existing line experiences an
Independence Substation. The routes travel
Upgrades
extended outage, this additional power source
east for 6 miles, cross the New River and
can continue to serve customers.
continue east for another 6 miles. The last 3
• Building Point Lookout Substation as part of
Company representatives are evaluating route options for the new transmission line. Not all route options, or study segments, are
• Provides an electrical source for a future distribution substation in the Baywood area. • Supports enhanced reliability in the region.
constructed. Rather, the company selects
The existing Fries - Independence power line
one final line route based on public input and
serving the area is remote and difficult to
feasibility. Input from the community helps
access which can lead to extended power
minimize impacts and determine the location
outages, when maintenance is required.
miles travel north, close to Appalachian Power's existing 500-kV transmission line. The route options end at the Jubal Early Substation located on Windmill Road off of Fries Road.
of the proposed line route.
PROJECT SCHEDULE 2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT Fall 2021
OPEN HOUSE Fall 2021
RIGHT-OF-WAY COMMUNICATIONS BEGIN End of 2021
PROPOSED ROUTE Beginning of 2022
ANTICIPATED LOCAL APPROVALS Spring 2022
RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION BEGINS Spring 2022
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS Spring 2023
PROJECT IN SERVICE Summer 2024
*Timeline subject to change.
FRIES SUBSTATION
FRIES
JUBAL EARLY SUBSTATION
GRAYSON COUNTY 94
607
721
TH
EN
EW
21
635
ES FRI R D
658
887
GALAX
RI
VE
R
89 97
INDEPENDENCE SUBSTATION POINT LOOKOUT 58
INDEPENDENCE SUBSTATION 622
BAYWOOD
INDEPENDENCE AREA PROJECT: TRANSMISSION LINE UPGRADES
601
VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLIN A
STUDY SEGMENTS FOR TRANSMISSION LINE
EXISTING SUBSTATION
EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE
PROPOSED SUBSTATION
EXISTING 500 KV TRANSMISSION LINE
624
AREA FOR FUTURE DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION
What are study segments? 18 study segments are The proposed study segments are alternatives to review to determine a final line route. Not all constructed. Rather, the company selects one route based on public input and feasibility.
93
TYPICAL STRUCTURES Crews plan to build the line using mainly steel H-frames or single-pole structures depending on the route selected and final engineering. At certain locations, crews could use lattice towers, or three-pole structures. Typical Structure Height: Approximately 85 feet* Typical Right-of-Way Width: Approximately 100 feet* *Exact structure, height and right-of-way requirements may vary
PROPOSED STRUCTURE FOR RIVER CROSSING
HFRAME*
SINGLEPOLE
LATTICE TOWER
THREEPOLE STRUCTURES
APPALACHIAN POWER VALUES YOUR INPUT ABOUT THIS PROJECT. PLEASE SEND COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO:
CORTNEY MUSTARD Project Outreach Specialist 833-313-3743
[email protected] AppalachianPower.com/Independence 11/1/2021
