Redstone Arsenal No. 3, Alabama (Madison County)

Update – June 2024

TVA has identified the preferred location for transmission improvements that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Redstone Arsenal and Huntsville areas of Madison County in Alabama.

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 3.3-mile line would begin at a tap point near existing Structure 149 on TVA’s Farley-Guntersville 161-kV Transmission Line and extend east/northeast for approximately 2.7 miles.  The line will then turn north to meet Redstone Arsenal’s designated demarcation point on the southwest corner of their property.

The route selected is Route 2 consisting of Tap Point 2 and Segments 2, 3, and 5 as presented at a March 21, 2024 open house in Huntsville and online at a virtual open house from March 21 through April 22, 2024.

The new line will be built using primarily single-pole, steel structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way.

• Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin in fall 2024.
• Easement purchases are scheduled to begin in winter 2024-2025.
• Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026.
• The line is scheduled to be in service in fall 2026.

The National Environmental Policy Act review is pending.

Background

TVA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Redstone Arsenal and Huntsville areas of Madison County served by Huntsville Utilities.

Redstone Arsenal is expecting a 23-megawatt increase in load by 2025, ramping up to a potential 39-megawatt increase by the 2026-2027 timeframe.  To support this, Redstone Arsenal has a project underway involving an additional substation and transmission and distribution upgrades.  Redstone Arsenal is proposing to build a substation and about six miles of power line from the substation to a demarcation point at the southeast edge of their property.

TVA proposes to build about 3.9 to 4.5 miles of 161-kilovolt power line to serve Redstone Arsenal.  TVA’s proposed power line would begin at a point on TVA’s Guntersville-Farley 161-kilovolt Transmission Line and extend west to the demarcation point at the southeast edge of Redstone Arsenal property.  There are three possible tap point locations, five alternative line segments, and three alternative line routes under consideration for the route of the new line.

TVA’s proposed line would be built using primarily single-pole, steel structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way.  The scheduled completion date for this project is spring 2026.

TVA will hold an open house on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to provide information, answer questions and receive comments about the proposed transmission project.  For those unable to attend the open house March 21, 2024, TVA is providing a virtual open house from March 21 through April 22, 2024, online at tvavirtual.com/redstone.  Property owners near and along the alternative transmission line routes have been invited to the open house by mail.

The project is expected to be in service in spring 2026.  Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025.  (Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)

TVA held an open house in Huntsville on March 21, 2024, and a virtual open house online from March 21 through April 22, 2024, to present the project. During this 30-day comment period, property owners and members of the public could submit questions and comments online, in writing, or by telephone.

(Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)