TVA Identifies Preferred Route for Transmission Line

July 31, 2009

FRANKLIN, Ky. — TVA has identified preferred locations for transmission system improvements that are needed to relieve overloaded equipment by 2011 and provide continued reliable electrical service.

A proposed 2-mile transmission line would connect TVA’s Memphis Junction – Portland 161-kilovolt line to Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation’s new substation, located in the Sanders Interstate Industrial Park.

The preferred route consists of alternative line segments 1 and 2 and is expected to have the fewest overall impacts of the alternatives that were studied. The proposed route segments for the line affect approximately 23 property owners and 23 tracts of property.

TVA will meet with property owners along new right-of-way to obtain 100-foot easements for construction, operation and maintenance of the line. Property owners will be compensated for the easements at fair market value and continue to own the property.

TVA is expected to begin acquiring easements for the transmission right-of-way during the fall of 2010. Construction is scheduled to begin during the winter of 2010-2011 with project completion scheduled for summer of 2011.

TVA held an open house last March to answer questions and receive comments on the proposed project. About 30 people attended the open house.

TVA’s decision on the preferred route follows receipt and evaluation of public input on alternative route segments for the transmission line. TVA’s objective in determining a route is to select the best overall path, weighing the same environmental, land use, engineering, cultural, and cost considerations to ensure that overall project impacts, as well as impacts to the community at large, are minimized.

A map of the project and additional information are available at www.tva.gov/power/projects/index.htm.

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 9 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Myra Ireland, Chattanooga, (423) 413-5971
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom