Tillotson AvenueTransmission Line Project

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) representatives plan power grid upgrades to improve electric reliability for customers in northwest Muncie.

The Tillotson Avenue Transmission Line Project involves:

• Upgrading about 3 miles of transmission line between Delaware Substation, off North Shaffer Road, and Bethel Substation, off North Elizabeth Avenue
• Building .5 miles of overhead transmission line between Delaware Substation and West Riggin Road
• Relocating .5 miles of transmission wire underground from West Riggin Road to West Twickingham Drive
• Rebuilding 2 miles of overhead transmission line from West Twickingham Drive to Bethel Substation
• Removing about 1 mile of transmission line between Delaware Substation and West Twickingham Drive
• Rebuilding about 1 mile of underground transmission line between Bethel Substation and Kenmore Substation, near the intersection of North Tillotson Avenue and West Riverside Avenue

Removing an existing portion of power line involves removing transmission wires and tops of poles. Lower-voltage distribution wires, third-party utilities and associated poles may remain.

The project strengthens the local electric transmission system by replacing aging poles and wires that date back to the 1960s with modern equipment. Outages within the aging underground facilities are difficult to identify and fix. The power line has experienced several extended power outages in recent years due to these issues. Replacing the existing underground line with new, upgraded wire will improve the line’s operational performance, reduce the likelihood of extended power outages and enhance electric reliability for area customers.

O.R. Colan (ORC) serves as I&M’s right-of-way representative on this project. Landowners can expect to hear from a right-of-way agent in the coming weeks. Company representatives may need to supplement or acquire new easements for the transmission line. Easements are defined land rights that property owners grant the utility to allow for the safe construction, operation and maintenance of the power line.

If you want to reach out to a right-of-way agent with immediate questions, please contact Eric Warren with ORC at (812) 360-2738 or ewarren@orcolan.com. Right-of-way agents are limiting in-person visits with customers during this process to ensure the public’s safety and health during the COVID-19 pandemic.