Pewaukee-based American Transmission Co. is seeking regulatory approval to rebuild an aging transmission line in southeastern Wisconsin.
The 14-mile, 138,000-volt St. Martins-Edgewood-Mukwonago line runs from the St. Martins Substation in Franklin to the Edgewood Substation in Big Bend and then on to the Mukwonago Substation in Mukwonago.
ATC on Thursday submitted an application for the project to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. With an expected approval this fall, construction could begin in 2017, to be completed by 2018.
The goal of the project, which is expected to cost $24.7 million, is to increase reliability in the area and replace the old lines. The 90-year-old lattice towers are beyond their 80 year life expectancy, while the wear of steel tower components, insulators and connecting hardware is significant enough to pose a risk of failure.
“The lattice tower structures, which are approximately 90 years old, will be replaced with steel single-pole structures; and the wires also will be replaced,” said Mary Carpenter, senior local relations representative for ATC. “The new poles will be placed within a few feet of the existing structures, and no new right-of-way is anticipated for the project.”
