Breaks - DortonTransmission Improvements Project
Kentucky Power officials plan to upgrade the electric transmission grid in Pike County.
The project involves:
- Rebuilding approximately 18 miles of transmission line. The project team is reviewing route options in the existing right-of-way and in new right-of-way.
- Building the Ratliff Substation.
- Upgrading the Dorton Substation.
- Rebuilding and expanding the Henry Clay Substation.
- Retiring the Draffin Substation.
The existing transmission line is 46-kilovolts (kV). Crews plan to upgrade the transmission line to 69-kV standards. The project team is reviewing route options to build the power line. Company representatives do not build all route options. Rather, they select one route to build based on public input and feasibility.
The project allows crews to retire about 26 miles of 1960s wooden structures showing age-related wear. This line has experienced outages causing 192,000 minutes of service interruption to customers over the last 5 years.
Project Updates
March 2025: Kentucky Power representatives are reviewing all information submitted at the January 29 open house and during the recent public notice period. We plan to announce a proposed route later this spring.
January 2025: Due to recent inclement weather, the open house scheduled for Thursday, January 9th has been rescheduled to Wednesday, January 29th from 5:30-7:30pm. Since there is no formal presentation, residents may join the planned event at any time.
New Open House Date:
Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Shelby Valley High School Student Center
125 Douglas Pkwy, Pikeville, KY 41501
Also, we invite you to review this website and enter our virtual open house to learn more and share your feedback. For the virtual open house, please use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari internet browsers for the best user experience. You may submit comments and questions about the project through the Contact form at the bottom of this page. Please share your input by Friday, February 14, 2025.
December 2024: Kentucky Power representatives announced the Breaks-Dorton Transmission Improvements Project. We will host an in-person open house in your area to provide an opportunity for residents to meet and talk with project representatives. Since there is no formal presentation, residents may join the planned event at any time.
Timeline
Timeline
Structures
Structures
Crews plan to install steel H-frame, three-pole and lattice tower structures along the line route.
Typical Structure Height: Approximately 70-90 feet*
Typical Right-of-Way Width: Approximately 100 feet*
*Exact structure types, height and right-of-way requirements may vary
Substation
Substation
Substations serve as electrical intersections directing the flow of electricity and either decrease or increase voltage levels for transport. Substations transform 69-kV and 138-kV electricity into lower distribution level voltages such as 34.5-kV, 12-kV, or 7.2-kV.
Typical Substation Height: Approximately 50 feet**
**Substation shown is a general depiction of the proposed facilities for the project. It does not represent final design.
Project Maps
Please note that these maps are preliminary and do not reflect any final power line route decisions.
OVERVIEW MAP
Step 1: Below is an Overview Map that displays the entire project area. Please use the Overview Map to find the general location of your property.
- Overview Map (PDF)
DETAILED MAPS
Step 2: Each outlined area on the Overview Map represents a single, numbered Map Page that shows that section in greater detail. Visit the appropriate Map Page below for your area.
- Detailed Map 1 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 2 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 3 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 4 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 5 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 6 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 7 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 8 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 9 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 10 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 11 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 12 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 13 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 14 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 15 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 16 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 17 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 18 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 19 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 20 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 21 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 22 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 23 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 24 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 25 (PDF)
- Detailed Map 26 (PDF)
Resources
Property Easements Virtual Open House Project Fact Sheet Project Map Access Roads Field Activities
Kentucky Power serves approximately 163,000 customers in eastern Kentucky.
Nancy Miller
Project Outreach Specialist
833-760-0604
kentuckypoweroutreach@AEP.COM
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