Avista Utilities (Spokane, Washington, U.S.), an operating division of Avista Corp., began construction in early May of a 60-mile (97-km) 230-kV transmission line between Rosalia, Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho, U.S. The US$40 million project will provide additional transmission capacity to serve growing demand for electricity in the region. This is the last phase of a $120 million project that began in 2003.

Avista will work with International Line Builders (ILB; Tualatin, Oregon, U.S.) to construct the first 34 miles (55 km) of the project between Rosalia and Colfax, and on to Avista's substation at Shawnee, near Albion, Washington. Construction commenced in early May and is expected to be completed by mid-November. Since the line route follows an existing Avista transmission line, ILB will first remove wood poles and wires, then install concrete reinforced foundations, erect tubular steel poles and string new conductors. The remaining 26 miles (42 km) between Rosalia and the Avista substation at Benewah, near Latah, Washington, will be constructed in 2007. The 230-kV transmission line is designed to carry 500 MW, but can supply up to 1000 MW during peak periods.