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The Franklin County Line Upgrade is a VELCO proposed project to rebuild the power line from VELCO's Georgia Substation to our Highgate Substation. It includes replacing deteriorating two-pole wood structures with more resilient single-pole steel structures, although some two-pole structures will be required in certain locations. As part of this project, VELCO will also replace the current wire, known in our industry as conductor. The rebuilt line will be in the same general location as today but slightly shifted, however, 10-15 feet toward the eastern side of the corridor with a 30-feet increase in height. Once the new structures are installed and the conductor is energized, the old structures will be removed.
VELCO field crews begin field assessments to review existing conditions, perform construction site reviews, and identify trees that post a risk to the new line.
VELCO project team hosted initial community meetings to provide a forum to learn all aspects of interest about the project.
VELCO expects to submit an application for regulatory approval.
In preparation for the vegetation and access work, our survey crews will begin marking the ROW edges with stakes and/or flags in mid-August. We kindly ask that you leave these markers in place during the duration of this project, as they help guide our crews and ensure the work stays within the project boundaries. Once the ROW edges are marked, the survey crew will then stake the locations for the new poles and any associated guy anchors. This information will assist our access preparation crews.
We expect to receive all of our permits and approvals to begin work during the week of September 9.
The vegetation crews will be the first on site, starting in Georgia and moving northward along the transmission line corridor. They will be cutting vegetation within the right-of-way (ROW) and select trees on the ROW edges to ensure safe and reliable operation of the line. This work will be carried out similarly to our routine vegetation maintenance and will include mowing, mechanical cutting with chain saws, and herbicide application. For efficiency, VELCO postponed the 2023 vegetation maintenance to align the work with this project. We anticipate the vegetation management work along the line to be completed by January 2025.
Shortly after the vegetation work begins, around September 16, our access crews will also start in Georgia and follow the vegetation crews. The access crew will be working to improve existing access routes, constructing new ones where needed, creating level working areas around the poles, and preparing for drilling crews to begin in October. This preparation work will continue throughout 2024 and 2025.
VELCO line crews will begin pole construction on the southern section of the line from Georgia to St. Albans. This work will continue through June 2025.
Once the new line is built from Georgia to St. Albans, VELCO line crews will begin removing the existing line. Restoration work will continue on the southern section through December 2025.
VELCO line crews will begin pole construction on the northern section of the line from St. Albans to Highgate. This work will continue through April 2026.
Once the new line is built from St. Albans to Georgia, VELCO line crews will begin removing the existing line. Restoration work will continue on the northern section through December 2026.
Upgrades to existing electric transmission infrastructure.
Projects in support of decarbonization of our communities.
Transmission additions or upgrades, necessary to ensure the system’s continued reliability.
The Franklin County Line Upgrade is a VELCO proposed project to rebuild the power line from VELCO's Georgia Substation to our Highgate Substation. It includes replacing deteriorating two-pole wood structures with more resilient single-pole steel structures, although some two-pole structures will be required in certain locations. As part of this project, VELCO will also replace the current wire, known in our industry as conductor. The rebuilt line will be in the same general location as today but slightly shifted, however, 10-15 feet toward the eastern side of the corridor with a 30-feet increase in height. Once the new structures are installed and the conductor is energized, the old structures will be removed.
As the planner, builder, operator and manager of Vermont’s high-voltage electric transmission system, it is VELCO’s responsibility to ensure grid safety, reliability, and efficiency. A routine inspection of this Highgate-to-Georgia line revealed that 146 of its 212 wooden transmission structures are in need of replacement in order to maintain safe and reliable grid operations. This isn’t surprising as 60 percent of the structures in question have been in place since 1958. Should we earn the necessary approvals to successfully complete this project, Vermont’s transmission grid will be more resilient, efficient and accommodating of additional in-state renewable energy.
This webpage is one way we work to keep neighbors, local officials and other stakeholders appropriately informed about this project. Timely sharing of information with Vermonters on our projects is a fundamental requirement of all VELCO projects. Please visit the Project Updates section to review the project updates, project correspondence, and public meeting information. We also welcome your feedback and ideas as to how we can improve how we share information.
Supplemental Testimony
Public Utility Commission Documents
To help the public visualize the proposed project, VELCO has prepared an interactive map, which is best viewed on a laptop or desktop computer. Choose between a guided tour or a 3D visualization that illustrates the existing and proposed conditions for the Franklin County Line Upgrade Project.
Franklin County Line Upgrade Guided Tour
Franklin County Line Upgrade 3D Model
Shana Louiselle
Communications Manager
802-770-6381
Ally Brown
Right-of-Way Manager
802-770-6357
