About $27M Invested in Area SWEPCO Upgrades

Southwestern Electric Power Company is working on the Atlanta Area Transmission Improvements Project, with representatives planning to invest about $27 million in rebuilds and upgrades to substations in Cass County, according to SWEPCO representatives.

“The project is what we call a rebuild where the transmission lines are modernized to improve reliability,” Jennifer Harland, AEP external affairs representative, said. “We work directly with impacted landowners when working on their property and within our right-of-way.”

The initiative will rebuild nearly 19 miles of a 138-kilovolt power line between the IPC Domino Substation and the West Atlanta Substation, impacting the northeastern and central areas of Cass County, respectively. Upgrades to area substation equipment are also being made, Harland said.

“Upgrades (to) wires and substations equipment decrease the likelihood of larger, community-sustained power outages,” Harland said, adding that this increases electric capacity to ensure continued electric reliability for SWEPCO customers.

Another benefit from the project will include the replacement of deteriorating wooden poles--built in the 1940s--with modern steel poles, which the SWEPCO reps say will improve overall grid condiution and reduce maintenance frequency.

The West Atlanta Substation is located off U.S. Highway 59 and County Road 1923; While the IPC Domino Substation is between Rocky Point Park Road and U.S. Highway 59. Harland said project construction is expected to be completed toward the end of 2024 or early 2025, weather permitting.

“Weather is always a factor to manage regarding our timelines,” Harland said.

For more information, or to view maps of the areas under construction visit SWEPCO.com/AtlantaArea.