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Huntsville, Alabama

Power Supply Upgrade

photo of power lines and poles Following the receipt of public input, TVA has evaluated a network of fifty alternative line segments for improvements that will provide reliable power to the growing area north of Huntsville.

Huntsville Utilities plans to expand the current Charity Lane 46 kilovolt substation in the Hazel Green area to 161-kilovolts. TVA plans to build a 13.5 mile line to power the expanded substation.

Based on this input and other evaluations, including cost, engineering and environmental impacts, TVA has identified alternative route segments 1, 2, 3, 15, 23, 30, 36 and 47 as the preferred route. See the preferred route map below.

The line would extend northwest from TVA’s existing Madison 500-kV Substation on existing right of way for about mile, then turns north to the existing Charity Lane Substation, located about 12 miles north of this point, at the intersection of Charity Lane and Highway 231.

The same considerations — environmental, land-use, engineering, and cultural — were used to assess each alternative. The reviews were based on available data, aerial photography, onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owners’ input.

The preferred route is 13.5 miles long. About .7 of a mile would use existing right of way, another .9 miles would use a combination of existing and new right of way, and the remaining 11.9 miles would use new right of way. The line would be built on existing towers and new steel poles.

The route is expected to have the least overall impact of the alternatives. In keeping with TVA’s environmental stewardship, appropriate National Environmental Policy Act review will be conducted. About 132 property tracts would be affected.

The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2014.

Background — September 2011

TVA is considering improvements to the transmission system north of Huntsville, Alabama. The project includes a transmission line that would power Huntsville Utilities’ planned upgrade of their Charity Lane Substation from 46 kilovolts to 161 kilovolts.

The expanded substation and 12 to 18 miles of line are needed to provide continued reliable power to the growing area.

TVA will hold an open house on Sept. 22, 2011 to provide information, answer questions and accept comments about the proposed project.

The proposed project consists of 12 to 18 miles of new transmission line to power Huntsville Utilities’ expanded Charity Lane Substation.

The line would extend northwest from TVA’s existing Madison 500-kV Substation towards the upgraded Charity Lane Substation, located southeast of the intersection of Charity Lane and Highway 231.

TVA is considering several alternative routes from a network of 50 alternative line segments. About two miles of the line could use the vacant side of existing double-circuit towers. The rest of the line would be built on steel pole structures centered on a 100-foot right-of-way.

The project is expected to be in service fall 2014. Construction would begin spring 2014.

Public involvement

TVA's process for siting new transmission projects is designed to allow public input at all stages. TVA is committed to working with area stakeholders to address concerns during the course of the project.

TVA held an open on Sept. 22, 2011 in Hazel Green, Alabama to discuss the proposed transmission line project. TVA representatives were available to provide information and answer questions. Large maps showing the alternative transmission line routes under consideration were also available.

Map

The map is a PDF file requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader. Use the zoom tool to view details of the map and allow time for it to reload. If you have questions or need help understanding the map, please contact TVA.

The map shows the preferred route TVA is considering for the proposed transmission line.

Preferred Route Map (PDF, 1.2 mb)

The map shows the network of alternative routes TVA considered for the proposed transmission line.

Alternative Routes Map (PDF, 786 kb)

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.