The Virginia State Corporation Commission has approved the construction of two new overhead transmission lines by Dominion Virginia Power in southeastern Virginia. Known as the Carson-Suffolk-Thrasher 500-kV and 230-kV transmission lines, the approximately 82-mile-long project extends from Dinwiddie County to the city of Chesapeake.

In its order issued on Oct. 31, 2008, the Commission found that the new transmission lines are necessary to maintain continued reliability of service to the South Hampton Roads area.

The first segment of the project will be a 500-kV transmission line built between DVP’s Carson substation in Dinwiddie County and the Suffolk substation, a distance of approximately 60 miles. Approximately 25.8 miles of this segment will adjoin existing company right-of-way. The remainder of the line will be constructed on new right-of-way.

The Commission approved a modification to the final route of the 500-kv transmission line in Suffolk to accommodate future industrial development projects planned for three properties.

The second segment of the project will be a 230-kV line extending from the Suffolk substation to the Thrasher substation in Chesapeake, a distance of 21.5 miles. The company will place this line on existing or rebuilt structures located within existing right-of-way.

SCC Commissioner James C. Dimitri did not participate in this case.