South Bend - NilesTransmission Line Project

The South Bend-Niles Transmission Line Project involves updating a substation and about 12 miles of electric transmission line from Niles, Michigan to South Bend, Indiana.

The project Involves:

• Rebuilding about 4 miles of power line from FourFlag Substation off South 3rd Street in Niles to the Indiana State Line off Stateline Road.
• Rebuilding about 8 miles of power line from Stateline Road to South Bend Substation off Edison Road.
• Upgrading Swanson Substation off Hickory Road in Granger.

The project strengthens the local electric transmission system by replacing aging poles and wires from the 1960s with modern equipment. Upgrading the substation increases substation capacity to address growing demand for electricity in the community. Rebuilding the line improves operational performance, reducing the likelihood of extended power outages and enhances electric reliability for area customers.

Company officials expect construction to begin spring 2026 and conclude by late 2027.

Late 2025:

Please visit our virtual open house for more information about the project and our processes. Tree clearing to prepare for the Swanson Substation expansion begins in January, weather permitting. For questions about the substation component of the project, please contact Actalent right-of-way agent Nolan Tate at 260-226-0813 or fretate@actalentservices.com. Actalent represents I&M on the substation portion of the project.

OR Colan (ORC) serves as I&M’s right-of-way representative on the power line component of this project. You can expect to hear from Kristin Martin of ORC about field activities, easement acquisition and construction. If you want to reach out to Kristin, you can contact her at 269-588-9957 or kmartin@orcolan.com.