With a target date for start of construction of January 2025, planning for the rebuilding and relocation of the main power supply line to the North Itasca Electric system got underway in July with an Open House for landowners along the transmission corridor.
At the Open House, landowners were able to express any concerns about the proposed reroute. “These meetings are initial steps in the process, every impacted landowner will be personally heard during the planning phase,” explained North Itasca Electric CEO Brad Dolinski. “We look forward to finding compromise with our members during this planning period and construction phase. This line will be built to meet the current and future needs of all members of North Itasca Electric and the city of Bigfork. The feed also supplies the city , although it is part of the Minnesota Power system.”
The Great River Energy 69 kV transmission line runs about 19 miles from the Deer River Substation to the Jesse Lake Substation along the current and old roadbed of Highway 6. And that old roadbed is part of the problem, said Dale Aukee, senior field representative for GRE. It is sinking and access is becoming more difficult when repairs are needed.
The current line dates from the early 1950s. “When the line was originally put in, pointed out Aukee, “electrical supply was a luxury. Now it has become a necessity,” he said. Some of the structures are original, and the poles are a mix of types. After completion, the poles will be the same, a modern low profile design where the insulators are actually drilled into the main pole similar to the line feeding the Scenic Substation along Scenic Highway 7.
Not only will the line be moved to an upland location along the current Highway 6, but it will be updated to current construction standards with lightning protection, improved access and less environmental impact. Wood poles 65-75 feet above the ground are planned, spaced 300 to 350 feet apart. The line itself will remain the same size/voltage.
The new line will be capable of withstanding future weather events, including potential ice storms, said Dolinski. The line will also use larger conductors capable of carrying more energy to the North Itasca Electric system. This will be a vital change as more energy is consumed in a carbon free future.
Twelve of the 19 miles of line will be rerouted, most in Oteneagen and Bowstring Townships. A portion of the line in Deer River will also be rerouted to higher ground north of the current line along Co. Rd. 128 and 161. That part of the line will be a double circuit, with one circuit branching off to Bena just north of Deer River.
Surveying and preliminary design will take place this fall, with the acquiring of permits and easements continuing through next year. Aerial surveys will be used with on-the-ground confirmation, explained Aukee. .
Rights-of-way for the line will be 100 feet, 50 feet on each side of the pole. In most cases, poles will be in the existing road ROW or paralleling current North Itasca Electric underground line easements. The line is planned initially for the west side of Highway 6, although there may be changes as design work continues.
From Great River Energy’s standpoint, said Aukee, the transmission line was one of the least reliable on their system, and one of the highest priorities for replacement because of the importance of the feed to North Itasca Electric.
