Holly to Seaholm Transmission Line
Summary
In January 1995, in response to safety and environmental concerns voiced by neighborhood residents, the Austin City Council passed a Resolution directing the Electric Utility to retire the Holly Street Power Plant in phases after "completing the electric transmission system improvements needed to retire the Holly Power Plant." The Resolution also directed the Electric Utility to "Exercise due care in selecting transmission line routes in a manner that minimizes the effect of the transmission lines to the citizens living in the affected area." One of the improvements to the transmission system which is required to facilitate the phased retirement of the Holly Street Power Plant is the upgrade of the transmission line between the Holly Street Power Plant and the Seaholm Power Plant from 69kV to 138kV. To comply with the Council's direction in the Resolution, it was determined that a portion of the transmission line would need to be rerouted.
Status
Foundation construction is scheduled to begin November 15, 1995. Pole setting and wire stringing will begin in January 1996. Construction projects should be completed in March 1996, with clean-up and restoration activities concluding in April 1996.
Description
The approved overhead transmission line will exit the Holly Street Power Plant site and turn southwest at the intersection of Bergman Avenue and Robert T. Martinez, Jr. Street. The line then crosses the southeast corner of the lagoon at Fiesta Gardens and turns west and follows the north shore of Town Lake to IH-35. The line then turns north and runs along the east frontage road of IH-35 to Lambie Street. The line turns northwest, crossing IH-35 and extends to the southeast corner of River Street and East Avenue. The line turns west and runs along the south side of River Street to the north shore of Town Lake. The line continues west along the north bank of the lake, crosses Waller Creek and connects with the existing transmission line near the Four Seasons Hotel. The existing line continues along the north side of Town Lake crossing Congress Avenue, South First Street and Shoal Creek before turning north and entering the Seaholm substation.
Major components of this project will include pole replacements, capacitor bank and autotransformer installation.
Basic Data
Project Contact: Jeff Suggs, Electric Utility, 322-6493
Construction Start Date: Fall, 1995
Estimated Completion Date: Spring, 1996
Estimated Construction Cost: Approximately $2.5 million
Revised Oct. 30, 1995
 Back to the Downtown Report
 To Downtown Map
|
