Tennessee Valley Authority
TVA Identifies Preferred Route for Transmission Line
December 7, 2011
HILLSBORO, Tenn. – The Tennessee Valley Authority has identified a preferred route for a new transmission line that would serve Duck River Electric Membership Corp.'s new Hillsboro Substation on Prairie Road.
The 4.4-mile transmission line and substation will help maintain reliable power by reducing power interruptions. The 161-kilovolt transmission line would connect to an existing line near Old Airport Road in Manchester and end at the new substation.
The selected route is expected to have the least impact on the area, based on public input from an open house in May. TVA also considered other factors, including cost, engineering and environmental impacts. A National Environmental Policy Act review is also pending.
TVA will meet with property owners along the proposed right-of-way to obtain easements for construction, operation and maintenance of the line. TVA proposes to acquire a 100-foot easement for most of the line. Property owners will still own the property and be compensated for the easements at fair market value.
TVA expects to begin surveys in February 2012 and start acquiring easements during the fall of 2012. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2013 with the line to be completed in about four months.
A map of the project and additional information is available.
The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.
Media Contact
Myra Ireland, Chattanooga, (423) 413-5971
TVA Media Relations, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000