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Lexington, Tennessee (West Lexington-Jacks Creek)

Update – March 2021

TVA has identified the preferred location for a transmission line that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in Henderson and Chester Counties in Tennessee. 

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 proposed 15.83-mile line would begin at TVA’s Bud Crockett-Lexington 161-kilovolt Transmission Line at the West Lexington 161-kilovolt Metering Station located at 103 Holley Street in Lexington.  The new line would then extend southwest to TVA’s Henderson-Jacks Creek 161-kilovolt Transmission Line at the Jacks Creek 161-kilovolt Metering Station located at 7590 Tennessee Highway 100 in Jacks Creek.  

The route selected is No. 4 which consists of segment Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 14, 16, 20, and 21 as presented at the virtual open house from September 24 through October 24, 2020. 

The new line would consist primarily of steel, single-pole structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way. 

Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin in Summer 2022.

Easement purchases are scheduled to begin in Spring 2023.

Construction is scheduled to begin in Fall 2024.

The project in service  is scheduled to be in Fall 2025.


Background

TVA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in Henderson and Chester Counties in Tennessee.    

TVA’s Bud Crockett-Lexington 161-kilovolt Transmission Line is ranked high among radial lines prioritized for exposure and load.  The line also has three customer connections, and any outages would lead to significant load not served.  The portion of line between Bud Crockett and North Lexington consists of older, wooden poles, and an unplanned pole replacement would result in a 24-hour outage.  Maintenance outages negatively impact several local industries.

Building a new power line in the area would enhance reliability, reduce the number and length of outages, and would allow for additional maintenance flexibility.

This project would increase power reliability and support the growing load in Henderson and Chester Counties.

TVA proposes to build from 16 to 20 miles of single-circuit 161-kilovolt transmission line.  The new line would begin at TVA’s Bud Crockett-Lexington 161-kilovolt Transmission Line at the West Lexington 161-kilovolt Metering Station located at 103 Holley Street in Lexington.

The new line would then extend southwest to TVA’s Henderson-Jacks Creek 161-kilovolt Transmission Line at the Jacks Creek 161-kilovolt Metering Station located at 7590 Tennessee Highway 100 in Jacks Creek. 

The proposed West Lexington-Jacks Creek 161-kilovolt Transmission Line would utilize primarily single, steel-pole structures centered on a new 100-foot-wide right of way.

Property owners near and along the alternative transmission line routes have been invited to the virtual open house by mail. 

Property owners and members of the public are invited to submit comments and questions about this proposed transmission project through October 24, 2020.

single pole circuit

Public Involvement

TVA held a virtual open house from September 24, through October 24, 2020, to present the project.  Within this 30-day comment period, property owners and members of the public were able to submit questions and comments online, in writing, or by telephone. 

Map

The map shows the area of the proposed transmission improvements. The map is also available below as a PDF file.

If you have questions or need help understanding the map, please contact TVA (see below).

West Lexington Jacks Creek Open House Map

WestLexington_JacksCreek-PreferredRoute_Map

Project Schedule

(Dates are subject to change. During projects of this magnitude, unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)

Virtual Open House begins September 24, 2020
Comments accepted through October 24, 2020
Determine preferred route for field surveys Winter 2020
Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin Spring 2021
Easement purchases are scheduled to begin Spring 2022
Construction is scheduled to begin Fall 2022
Project in service Fall 2023

Environmental Reviews

The appropriate National Environmental Policy Act review will be conducted to ensure that the environmental impacts are minimized. TVA attempts to minimize any land requirements, private property impacts, and environmental impacts associated with this project.

Efforts are made during the siting process to avoid or minimize impacts to floodplains and wetlands in accordance with Executive Orders 11988 and 11990. Floodplains and wetlands are shown on the referenced map. The map illustrates how the route avoids or impacts floodplains and wetlands. Because of project and topographic constraints and because of minimizing impacts to other social, environmental, and engineering resources, no practicable alternative may be available that would allow complete avoidance of impacts to floodplains and wetlands which may require mitigation for minimizing impacts. Also, best management practices would be utilized throughout the project to minimize adverse floodplain and wetland impacts. In compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, TVA will be coordinating wetland findings with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Contact

More information on this project can be obtained from:

John Roberts
[email protected]
800-362-4355
1101 Market Street, MR 4G
Chattanooga, TN 37402