The Bonneville Power Administration will detonate state-of-the-art implosive devices to connect conductors on the new Grand Coulee-Bell 500-kV transmission line. Work began Aug. 30 in an area about three-fourths of a mile north of Spokane, Washington. The local community will hear a number of loud explosions during the day beginning Aug. 31 within the construction zone.

The work from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 will occur at BPA's Bell Substation, which is located adjacent to the former Kaiser Meade aluminum plant north of Spokane. Implosive fittings will be used periodically in the Spokane area between August and November.

The new Grand Coulee-Bell 500-kV transmission line replaces 84 miles of existing 115-kV wood pole transmission line and is one of several critical projects BPA has planned to solve power reliability problems in the Northwest. The line will run from BPA's Bell Substation to Grand Coulee Dam and is scheduled to be completed and energized by December 2004.

For more information, contact Ed Mosey at (503) 230-5359.