May 2003 marked the cutover of all transmission lines associated with the Forest Junction Project. The project is a of a new, 13-acre 345kV/138kV transmission substation in the Town of Brillion, that involved rebuilding a 75-year-old, 20.2-mile transmission line from the new Forest Junction Substation to the WPS Hwy V Substation in Bellevue, the addition of a new transmission line from the new Forest Junction Substation to the Lost Dauphin Substation in the Town of Lawrence (Brown County), and demolition of existing facitilies.

The Forest Junction Project addresses the growing demand for electricity in the greater Fox River Valley and Green Bay areas, expands the limited facilities in the region, reduces the potential for existing facilities to overload, and accommodates future growth. This results in improved reliability for the area and increased transfer capability.

From construction kickoff in September 2001, the project maintained an aggressive schedule. The first 12 miles of the rebuild was completed in March 2002, and the construction of the new substation was completed in December 2002. The new transmission line was placed in service in January 2003 with the complete cut-over of all lines done in May 2003. All that remains is the demolition of the existing station. That work is targeted to be finished in August 2003.

ATC Project Manager Al Bayer is pleased with the progress of the project. "This very significant system improvement was completed on schedule and substantially below budget. Our success is directly attributable to the skill of the construction contractors used and the terrific support provided by We Energies' Appleton area electricians, relay technicians and start-up personnel."