East ValleyUpgrades Project

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is upgrading the transmission line that connects the Hartford Substation in Hartford, MI to the Alema Substation in Paw Paw, MI to the Valley Substation in Decatur, MI. The improvements in Van Buren and Cass counties are essential to ensure continued reliable electricity is available for customers.

The existing transmission infrastructure has reached an age where it is in need of rebuild and redesign to improve electric service reliability for customers across the region. To upgrade the line, aging wood poles will be replaced with steel monopoles. Rebuilding approximately 17 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV) line, approximately 5 miles of 34.5kV to 69kV line, and approximately 12 miles of single-circuit 69kV to double-circuit 69kV/138kV line decreases outages and speeds recovery of service when outages occur.

Project Updates

Fall 2017: I&M announced the final line route for the East Valley Upgrades Project. The announcement follows a comprehensive routing study and an open house held in June, which provided information about the project and provided property owners with the opportunity to ask questions and provide input. The final proposed line route can be viewed on the interactive map above.

Project Releases

Valley Area Improvements Project News Release, June 8, 2017 (PDF)

Timeline

Structures

I&M will replace aging wood poles with steel monopole structures. Single circuit 69kV structures range between 70 and 90-feet in height. Double circuit 69kV/138kV structures range between 100 and 115-feet in height.

I&M is committed to meeting the energy needs of customers while protecting the environment and natural beauty of the region.

* Exact structure, height and right-of-way may vary