Tucson Electric Power to start transmission project very shortly

TEP 138-kV Tucson Transmission Line enhances grid reliability, reduces outages, and expands substation capacity on Tucson's west side, with ACC-approved routing along I-10, East Speedway Boulevard, and St. Mary's Road, plus landscape restoration.

Tucson Electric Power TEP will soon begin work on construction of a new transmission line that will strengthen electrical system reliability by linking the DeMoss-Petrie DMP Substation.

The new 138-kilovolt kV line will help to reduce the frequency and duration of electrical service outages, help meet future needs of customers and provide additional capacity for TEP substations on Tucson's west side. Construction for the $4.5 million project is expected to be completed this summer, and line-burying decisions factor into construction methods.

The Arizona Corporation Commission approved the project in March 2011, following an ACC meeting on the route that informed deliberations. As part of the application process, TEP conducted several natural, cultural and visual studies and mailed project newsletter updates to thousands of nearby property owners and residents. TEP sponsored open house meetings and worked extensively with neighbors, government representatives and members of other community groups to design the line's route, after a hearing on routing drew additional public input.

From the DMP substation, the line will travel south along the east side of Interstate 10 to East Speedway Boulevard, where it will cross west over the interstate and continue south to St. Mary's Road, in a process similar to a recent Texas PUC approval noted in comparable projects. From there, the line will continue east and terminate at the Tucson Substation.

Once the project is completed, drought-tolerant vegetation will be used for landscape restoration. Some traffic control restrictions may be required during the construction process, as seen when TECO worked on transmission lines under similar conditions.

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