An open house has been scheduled by AEP Ohio to discuss upgrading the transmission line infrastructure in eastern Columbus. The Morse-Gahanna-East Broad Transmission Line Rebuild Project includes reconstruction of around 9 miles of 138-kilovolt transmission line and improving five adjacent substations. Most of the power line will be rebuilt within or close to the existing right-of-way, which could necessitate acquiring new property easements or updating existing ones.
The objective of the project is to strengthen the electric transmission system by replacing outdated wooden H-frame structures from the 1950s with modern single steel poles. The current transmission line has encountered eight service disruptions since 2015 and fails to comply with AEP engineering standards. These enhancements increase operational efficiency, minimize the possibility of prolonged power outages, and improve electric reliability for local customers.
