Blue Ridge, Georgia (Scenic Drive)

Update – November 2023

The schedule for this project has been updated as follows:

Now through spring 2024 – Realty activities underway

Early summer 2024 – Construction begins

Late summer 2024 – Project in service

Background - May 2020

TVA has identified preferred locations for transmission upgrades that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Blue Ridge area of Fannin County in Georgia.

TVA evaluated each route using social, engineering, and environmental factors.  Information sources included available data, aerial photography, limited onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owner input.  Based on public input and evaluation, the preferred route is expected to have the least overall project impacts of the alternatives.

TVA’s 3.63-mile proposed line would begin at TVA’s Basin-Toccoa River 161-kilovolt transmission line and extend southwest to Tri-State Electric Membership Corporation’s new Scenic Drive 161-kilovolt Substation.  The new substation will be located near 2700 Scenic Drive in Blue Ridge.

The route selected is No. 7 which consists of segment Nos. 6, 7, 9, and 11 as presented at the open house in January 2020.

The new line would consist of a combination of single-pole and H-frame, steel structures centered on a new 100-foot-wide right of way.  

Background

TVA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Blue Ridge area in Fannin County.    

Tri-State Electric Membership Corporation serves the Blue Ridge area from the Blue Ridge and Epworth 69-kilovolt Stations.  TVA serves these stations from its 69-kilovolt transmission system.  The Blue Ridge 69-kilovolt Station has exceeded its capacity, and the Epworth 69-kilovolt Station is approaching its capacity.  Construction of a new educational facility is expected to add to this overload problem at the Blue Ridge 69-kilovolt Station.  Additional capacity is needed in the area to resolve these issues.

Tri-State EMC plans to build the Scenic Drive 161-kilovolt Station to resolve capacity issues and improve reliability.

TVA proposes to build from 4 to 5 miles of 161-kilovolt power line to serve the new station.

The proposed power line would begin at TVA’s Basin-Toccoa River 161-kilovolt Transmission Line and extend southwest to Tri-State EMC’s new station to be located near 2700 Scenic Drive.

There are three possible tap points and eleven alternative line segments under consideration for the route of the new transmission line. The line would be built using a combination of single-pole and H-frame, steel structures centered on a new 100-foot-wide right of way.