TVA Identifies Preferred Route for Transmission Line

February 13, 2007

BRIDGEPORT, Ala. – TVA has identified a preferred route for a new transmission line that will provide a reliable source of power to area industry.

The route begins at TVA’s existing Widows Creek Fossil-Winchester 161-kilovolt transmission line west of Bridgeport, Ala., and extends east-northeast to the industrial site northeast of downtown Bridgeport. The five-mile route is expected to have the fewest overall impacts of the alternative routes for the transmission line that were studied.

The route affects approximately 25 property tracts. TVA will work with property owners to obtain 100-foot easements for construction, operation and maintenance of the line. Property owners will be compensated for the easement at fair market value and retain possession of the property.

TVA is expected to begin acquiring easements for the transmission right-of-way during the winter of 2007-2008. Construction is scheduled to begin during the fall of 2008 with project completion scheduled for January 2009.

TVA’s decision follows receipt and evaluation of public input on alternative routes. TVA’s objective in determining a route for the new transmission line is to select the best overall path, weighing the same environmental, land use, engineering and cost considerations to ensure that overall project impacts, as well as impacts to the community at large, are minimized.

A map of the project and additional information are available.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.7 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Myra Ireland, (423) 751-7153
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom