TVA Transformer Move May Cause Traffic Delays On Aug. 26

August 25, 2009

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Traffic delays may occur on Wednesday, Aug. 26, as TVA moves another large transformer to the Rutherford Substation site in Rockvale.

The third of four transformers will be transported by trailer from the rail yard in Murfreesboro to the substation site. The 300-ton oversized trailer and transformer will leave the rail yard after 9 a.m. and is expected to take about seven hours to complete the 19-mile route.

Although TVA and its contractors will try to minimize disruptions as much as possible, temporary traffic delays are expected to occur along the transport route. The route has been coordinated with local utilities and state, county and local officials.

Safety of the public and workers performing the move, as well as protection of property and equipment, are the primary concerns. Safety escort vehicles with warning flags and lights will accompany the trailers along the entire route, and local law enforcement will accompany the trailers along the route within Murfreesboro municipal boundaries.

Once the substation begins operating next spring, the transformers will decrease electricity from 500 kilovolts (kV) to 161 kV and transport it on TVA’s 161-kV transmission system to distributors of TVA power and direct-served TVA customers.

The Rutherford Project consists of a new 500-kV substation on about 60 acres of land in the Rockvale area, plus about 55 miles of new connecting transmission lines. The new facilities will provide continued reliable power for the growing Middle Tennessee area, which is projected to outgrow the current transmission system in 2010.

The delivery route for the transformer begins at the railroad at 2668 Stevenson Dr. in Murfreesboro. From there the trailer will:

• Go north on Stevenson Drive for about two-tenths of a mile.
• Turn left (west) onto Butler Drive, which becomes Warrior Drive, for about 2 miles.
• Turn left (south) onto State Road 99 for 3.2 miles,
• Bear right onto Salem Road (west) for about half a mile.
• Turn right (north) onto Rucker Lane for about 2.4 miles.
• Turn left (west) onto SR-96/Franklin Road for 1.2 miles.
• Turn right (north) onto Veterans Parkway (formerly Beesley Road) for 1.2 miles.
• Turn left (west) onto Shores Drive for 2.3 miles.
• Turn left (south) onto Puckett Road for 0.9 miles.
• Turn right (west) onto Hwy 96 for 0.2 miles.
• Turn left (south) onto Coleman Hill Road for 4.3 miles.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. 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) 751-7153; (423) 413-5971
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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