Project Overview

Electricity usage in southern Dane County is growing at an annual rate of approximately 6 percent, more than twice the statewide average. ATC is proposing a 6-mile, 138-kilovolt transmission line that would connect a new substation, called the Oak Ridge Substation, to be constructed in Fitchburg with an existing substation in Verona. Two possible routes have been identified. One route would take the line south along Fish Hatchery Rd. to Adams Road where it would turn west and take advantage of existing right-of-way by being combined on new structures with the      existing 69-kilovolt line. A second route, which would require new right-of-way, takes the route south to Whalen Rd., then west to the substation.  The estimated cost of the transmission line and the new substation is $21.8 million.

ATC originally proposed in 2005 an electric solution to construct a new 138-kilovolt transmission line between Fitchburg and Montrose, which also would have included the construction of two new substations. During the routing and siting process, ATC reevaluated the project based on public input and determined that an alternative solution between Fitchburg and Verona solved the electrical problem while minimizing the amount of new right-of-way that would be needed for the line.

At a glance
Wisconsin communities affected: Fitchburg and Verona. The area including Oregon, Verona, Paoli, Basco, Montrose, Belleville, Brooklyn and Fitchburg all benefit.
Length of line: Approximately 6 miles
End points: New substation (called Oakridge) in Fitchburg to existing Verona substation
Voltage: 138 kilovolts
Status of project: Under regulatory review by PSC. Decision expected third quarter of 2007.
Anticipated start of construction: Early 2008
Anticipated in-service date: June 2008
Estimated cost: $21.8 million

Schedule*
Public open house on study area: July 2005
Environmental analysis: Summer 2005
Open house on potential routes: November 2005
Evaluation of routes: Winter 2005
Open house on proposed routes: Spring 2006
Engineering and environmental analysis: Summer 2006
Regulatory application and review by PSC: Underway
Construction start: Early 2008
Anticipated in-service date for Oakridge Substation: June 2008

Anticipated in-service date for transmission line: June 2009
*Subject to changes

For more information or to comment on this project, e-mail Charlie Gonzales or call 1-866-899-3204, extension 3644.