The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has identified a preferred route for a new transmission line that will serve Gibson Electric Membership Corp's Bells Substation.
The 7.7-mile, 161kV transmission line and upgraded substation will replace aging electrical equipment.
The power line will extend south from the existing 161kV Alamo Substation, located north of Alamo off Highway 88, to Bells Substation, west of Bells on Cherryville Road.
The preferred route for the proposed power line will use portions of almost five miles of existing right-of-way.
TVA proposes to acquire a 100ft easement along 2.7 miles of new right-of-way and an additional 25ft of easement along five miles of existing right-of-way.
TVA is expected to begin surveys this winter and start acquiring easements during fall 2011.
Construction is scheduled to begin during fall 2012, and project completion is expected in May 2013.