TVA Identifies Preferred Route for Transmission Line
November 7, 2005
ETON, Ga. -- TVA has identified a preferred route for a proposed transmission line in Murray County that will power North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation’s proposed new substation in the Gregorys Mill area.
The new line and substation are needed to maintain reliable electric service and meet growing power demand in the area.
The 7.2-mile route would begin at TVA’s Alpha-Loughridge transmission line, west of Eton, and continue north to the substation site, located west of State Route 225 in the Gregorys Mill community. Compared to other alternatives, the preferred route is one of the shortest feasible options studied and has the least overall impacts.
The preferred route is the eastern-most of the alternative routes presented at an open house on July 28. A map of the preferred route is available here.
The new 115-kilovolt line, to be built on 100-foot minimum width right-of-way, is targeted to be in service by the fall 2007.
The selection of the preferred route follows receipt and evaluation of public input on alternative route segments. Each route was evaluated using the same environmental, land use, engineering and cost considerations. The reviews were based on available data, aerial photography, limited onsite reviews, public review and comment and property owner input.
Approximately 41 property owners who would be directly affected by the transmission line are being notified by mail. TVA will follow-up with property owners by phone to answer questions and coordinate access for environmental and engineering surveys. The surveys are expected to be completed next summer.
TVA is expected to begin acquiring easements for the transmission right-of-way during the fall of 2006. Construction is scheduled to begin during the spring of 2007 with project completion scheduled for the summer of 2007.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact
Myra Ireland, (423) 751-7153
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
