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
Construction work on the new transmission line is complete. Removal of
the existing lines and poles along Holly Street is complete. Removal
work on the existing line in the Rainey Street area is underway and is
scheduled to be completed by June 28, 1996. Some restoration and
landscape work has been completed; however, a significant amount of
additional landscaping and other mitigation improvements are being
planned.
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: Fall, 1996
Estimated Construction Cost: Approximately $2.5 million
Revised June 24, 1996
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