St. Joseph Transmission Line Upgrade
Transmission line upgrades enhance reliability and strengthen the power grid, allowing us to serve homes and businesses well into the future.
The St. Joseph Transmission Line project is a part of Missouri’s initiative to upgrade utility infrastructure. Find detailed timelines, project maps and design diagrams for the following projects below:
- Cook Road - St. Joseph
- Cook Road - Edmond Street
- Edmond Street - Lake Road - Alabama Street
- Industrial Park - Mochila - Lake Road
Timeline
Construction began October 2021 and is scheduled to be complete by Summer 2022. Property restoration will continue through Fall 2022.
Project Map
Design
Steel poles are utilized for reliability and resiliency with the harsh weather conditions our communities can face. Existing wood or steel single pole structures will likely be replaced with new steel single pole structures. Where possible, existing structures that utilize guy-wires for support will be replaced with steel self-supporting structures.
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Timeline
Construction is set to begin Summer 2022 and is scheduled to be complete by Spring 2023. Property restoration will continue through Summer 2023.
Project Map
Design
Steel poles are utilized for reliability and resiliency with the harsh weather conditions our communities can face. Existing wood or steel single pole structures will likely be replaced with new steel single pole structures. Where possible, existing structures that utilize guy-wires for support will be replaced with steel self-supporting structures.
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Overview
- We will build a new 3.3-mile 161 kV electrical transmission line to connect the existing Edmond Street substation, located at the southwest corner of Felix and Second streets, to the existing Lake Road substation, located southwest of Lower Lake Road and Highway 759.
- We will also build a new 1.3-mile 161 kV electrical transmission line to connect the existing Lake Road substation to the existing Alabama Street substation, located south of State Highway U.
Timeline
Construction is set to begin 2027 and be completed in Fall of 2028.
Route Selection
Evergy has contracted with a consultant to perform an evaluation of the area between the three substations to determine potential routes for the new transmission line. Potential routes were developed with the intent to minimize adverse impacts to residents, their land and the natural environment, while providing a technically viable and cost-effective route. Input received from residents in the area will help us determine which route should be selected for construction.
Design
The route for the new transmission line must be determined before engineers can determine structure types and heights, but the structures will be steel. Steel poles are utilized for reliability and resiliency with the harsh weather conditions our communities can face.
Industrial Park Substation – Mochila Substation
Timeline
Construction is scheduled to begin Spring 2023 and be completed Summer 2024.
Project Map
Lake Road Substation – Mochila Substation
Timeline
Construction is scheduled to begin Summer 2023 and be completed Fall 2024.
Project Map
Design
Steel poles are utilized for reliability and resiliency with the harsh weather conditions our communities can face. Existing wood or steel single pole structures will likely be replaced with new steel single pole structures. Where possible, existing structures that utilize guy-wires for support will be replaced with steel self-supporting structures.
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Regulatory and Government Policy
Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) regulates and has the responsibility of ensuring electric utilities provide safe, adequate and reliable services at reasonable rates. The mission of the KCC is to protect the public interest through impartial and efficient resolution of all jurisdictional issues.
Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure and competitive wholesale prices of electricity. SPP operates subject to a tariff filed with and governed by FERC. This tariff contains over 2,100 pages of rates, terms and conditions for providing transmission service to SPP’s customers to move wholesale electric power within and across SPP’s 17-state footprint.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce and ensures the reliability of high-voltage interstate transmission systems.
Evergy, Inc. (Evergy) (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.
What is an easement?
An easement is an interest in land that permits the use of land for a specific purpose. For Evergy’s projects, the easement permits surveys, construction, operation and maintenance of distribution and transmission lines and other equipment. The easement also permits ingress and egress to the easement and permits the trimming and removal of trees, on or adjoining the easement, that may interfere with the safe and reliable operation of the electrical lines.
If an easement is granted, will there be any restrictions on the use of my property?
The existence of a transmission line easement restricts some possible uses for property. Acceptable uses include planting crops, pasture and roadways. The three most common restrictions include limiting the amount of allowed grade change, restricting buildings or structures within the easement area and restrictions on planting trees that may grow into the lines.
How long will the easement exist?
Transmission line easements are permanent and recorded at county’s Register of Deeds Office.
Will access to my property be required prior to construction?
Access to the easement corridor may be required prior to construction for the purposes of tests, surveys and studies to determine environmental and soil conditions.
Will my property be restored?
Property restoration will take place after construction is complete. Duration of restoration is weather dependent and varies by project, but properties will be restored to, near as reasonable, pre-construction condition. An Evergy project representative will communicate with property owners individually to discuss expected timeline and damage, if any, caused by construction.
Will my trees be trimmed or removed?
Any tree located within the right-of-way limits that will interfere with construction or operations will need to be removed. Any trees with branches overhanging the right-of-way limits will need to be side trimmed. All work performed will be overseen by a trained tree professional.
