American Electric Power’s (NYSE:AEP) Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) on Aug. 30 said that it plans to invest about $13m to improve the electric transmission system in the Three Rivers area in Michigan, through the Three Rivers Transmission Line Rebuild Project.
The company said that major project components include:
- Rebuilding about six miles of 69-kV transmission line
- Building the new Ripple substation
- Retiring the existing Three Rivers substation
According to a project fact sheet, the transmission line connects the Moorepark substation to the new Ripple substation in Three Rivers, Mich.
The existing infrastructure was built in the 1950s and 1960s, the fact sheet noted, adding that I&M will replace wood poles with steel monopole structures ranging between 70 feet and 100 feet in height.
The existing infrastructure has reached an age where it needs to be replaced to better serve area customers, the company said in its statement, adding that rebuilding the line and building the new substation will address performance issues, improve the line’s condition, and increase reliability. The improvements will reduce the number of outages, as well as the time needed to restore service when they occur, the company said.
An open house on the project will be held on Sept. 13 in Three Rivers, during which the company will be able to communicate directly with landowners, gaining their feedback regarding the project and proposed route options, according to the statement.
Construction is expected to begin in fall 2018, and be completed by summer 2019, the company said.
