American Electric Power’s Indiana Michigan Power on March 2 said that it plans to upgrade the electric transmission grid serving customers in northeast Fort Wayne through the Robison Park-Lincoln Transmission Line Rebuild Project.
The project involves upgrading about eight miles of electric transmission line and improving the Trier substation near the intersection of Trier Road and Walden Run, the company said, adding that its representatives plan to rebuild the line in the existing right of way (ROW).
Tracy Warner, corporate communications manager of I&M, on March 5 told T&D World's sister publication, TransmissionHub, that the company does not yet have an estimated cost for the 138-kV rebuild.
As noted in a project fact sheet, the project area includes the City of Fort Wayne, as well as Adams and St. Joseph townships in Allen County, Ind.
The project is designed to strengthen the electric transmission system by replacing deteriorating towers from the 1920s with modern steel monopoles, which have a smaller footprint than existing lattice structures, the company said, adding that the upgrade ensures that the line complies with I&M’s current structural standards, improves the line’s operational performance, and reduces the need for equipment repairs.
Landowners and community members are invited to a virtual open house to learn more about the project and ask questions, the company said, noting that project information, an interactive map, and the virtual open house can be found on the project website.
According to the project schedule, construction is slated for early 2022-spring 2023, with the facilities placed in service in spring 2023 and restoration activities complete in summer 2023.
Article amended at 10:48 a.m. EST on Friday, March 12, 2021, to include comments from I&M’s Tracy Warner.
