Tennessee Valley Authority
East Knox County, Tennessee
Transmission System Upgrade
Update — November 2008
TVA proposes to build about 13 miles of transmission line and a new switching station to relieve overloaded facilities in East Knox County. In addition, the existing Nixon Road-Dumplin Valley 161-kilovolt line will be looped about a half a mile into the new switching station.
TVA has evaluated 22 alternative line segments for the new transmission line and two sites for the new switching station. The new facilities will provide continued reliable power to the growing area by relieving existing overloaded equipment. The same considerations — environmental, land-use, engineering, cultural, and cost — were used to assess each alternative. The reviews were based on available data, aerial photography, onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owners’ input.
Based on these evaluations, TVA has identified alternative route segments 22, 20, 15, 13, 11, 10, 9, 4, and 2, with some of the locations being adjusted from what was presented at the open house. The preferred site for the switching station is alternative number 1, located southwest of the I-40 and Midway Road interchange.
The line would begin at TVA’s existing Volunteer 500-kilovolt Substation and travel south-southeast about 13 miles to the new East Knoxville Switching Station, located near the interchange of I-40 and Midway Road.
About five of the 13 miles -- along alternative segments #9 and #4 -- would use existing TVA right-of-way. Another three miles of the line would parallel the existing Volunteer 161-kilovolt line near the Volunteer Substation. Approximately 152 parcels would be affected by the transmission line. About 81 of the parcels are on existing TVA right-of-way.
An appropriate National Environmental Policy Act review will be conducted.
The double-circuit line would be built with steel poles on a 100-foot-wide right-of-way.
Background — July 2008
TVA is considering building two new transmission lines and a switching station that would relieve overloaded equipment and provide additional power to the growing area.
TVA will hold an open house July 10 to provide information, answer questions, and accept comments. All comments will be considered by TVA in reaching a decision on the location of the new transmission line and switching station.
A total of 22 alternative line segments are being considered for the lines, and two alternative sites are being considered for the switching station site. The lines would begin at the new East Knox Switching Station, located near the Midway Interchange of I-40, extend north about 14 miles to TVA’s existing Volunteer Substation, and extend south about half a mile to TVA’s Nixon Road-Dumplin Valley 161-kV transmission line.
The transmission line would consist of steel pole structures on new and/or existing 100-foot right-of-way.
The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2010.
Public involvement
TVA’s process for siting new transmission projects is designed to allow public input at all stages. TVA is committed to working with area stakeholders to address concerns during the course of the project. Comments received during the comment period have been used in reaching a decision.
TVA held an open house in Strawberry Plains on July 10 to discuss the proposed transmission line project. A 30-day comment period followed. Comments received, including names and addresses, are part of the administrative record and are available for public inspection.
Map
The map shows the network of alternative routes TVA is considering for the proposed transmission line.
Alternative Routes (801 kb, PDF)
Preferred Route (796 kb, PDF)
Environmental reviews
The appropriate National Environmental Policy Act reviews will be conducted on the preferred route to ensure that the environmental impacts are minimized. TVA attempts to minimize any land requirements, private property impacts, and environmental impacts associated with this type of project.
Project schedule
Open house: July 10, 2008
Comments accepted: through August 11, 2008
Determine preferred route for field surveys: October 2008
Begin contacting property owners for permission to survey: fall 2008
Begin construction: spring 2010 Project in service: June 2010
Related information
Frequently asked questions about TVA right-of-way
Benefits of planting native shrubs and grasses in utility rights-of-way.
- Landscaping with native shrubs (PDF file, 879 kb)
- Landscaping with native grasses (PDF file, 644 kb)
Fact sheet on electric and magnetic fields and their effects.
Environmental Protection and Best Management Practices (PDF, 7 mb)