What’s new in our transmission portfolio?

Construction is underway on a new overhead electric transmission line linking a substation in Eagle River to a new substation near Conover in Vilas County. The Cranberry-Conover transmission project will strengthen electric reliability in the area; the current system is frequently overloaded and vulnerable to interruptions and even blackouts under certain conditions. A two-mile portion of the 14-mile line is being placed underground to provide clearance for the Eagle River airport. Completion of the new line is expected in June 2008.

Cranberry-Conover by the numbers:

Length of line:                         14 miles

Number of poles:                   104

Average pole height:             100 feet

Tallest pole:                           130 feet

Average pole weight:            5 tons

A multi-year project to strengthen the existing transmission system serving portions of Rock and Walworth counties is entering its final construction phase. Known as the Rock River – Elkhorn 138-kilovolt conversion, this 38-mile project involved rebuilding existing 69-kV facilities to carry 138 kV and building new 138-kV lines. Construction began in November with foundation work on a new line mostly along Interstate 43 between Alliant's Delavan Substation and the Bristol Substation northeast of Delavan. Poles will be placed and erected in spring 2008.  This, along with some modifications to several substations, will prepare the facilities for a conversion to 138 kV in spring 2009.

An open house is scheduled Thursday, Jan. 31, for new 69-kV facilities in Warrens. The seven-mile line and substation are needed because electric demand in the area is increasing due a new waterpark and growth in cranberry processing. The open house will be at the Ground Round in Tomah.

Soil borings and other pre-construction work on a transmission line along Interstate 894 in Greenfield is underway.  Wires and a number of structures in the two-mile corridor will be replaced in the fall to accommodate the expansion of We Energies’ Oak Creek Power Plant.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will hold public hearings on the proposed 35-mile Paddock-Rockdale 345-kV line on Wednesday, Feb, 13, at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Janesville Town Hall, 1628 N. Little Court. Evidence from the parties will be taken at 9 a.m. and from the public at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The PSC also will take written comments through Feb. 11.

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