TVA Identifies Preferred Route for Transmission Line

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has identified a preferred route for a new transmission line that will provide for more reliable power and allow for industrial growth in Van Buren County, Tennessee.

The 4.75-mi transmission line will help improve power reliability and ensure that electric service remains plentiful and reliable. The 161-kV transmission line would extend from the Watts Bar-Great Falls 161-kV Transmission Line near Lamont-Yates Mountain Road.

The selected route is expected to have the least impact on the area, based on public input from an open house in January and additional evaluation of other factors, including social, environmental and engineering 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. The project will require new right of way. Property owners would still own the property and be compensated for the easements at fair market value.

TVA is expected to begin surveys in summer 2014 and start acquiring easements in spring 2015. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2016 and be completed by that summer.

A map of the project and additional information is available on the TVA website at www.tva.com/power/projects.