New Richmond Substation Expansion

Bethel New Richmond Road Construction

Beginning in March, we will resume construction to rebuild a 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the New Richmond Substation along Bethel New Richmond Road, which is a project that will involve temporary intermittent road closures and detours during daylight hours. You may recall that we began construction on this project last August. The project was delayed after our crews were called to assist regions affected by Hurricane Florence. 

About the project

Reliability is a responsibility that Duke Energy takes very seriously. As a result of that commitment, we are upgrading the energy transmission system in New Richmond, Ohio, to provide continued reliability of the area’s energy service. Last year, Duke Energy expanded an existing substation located at 143 Bethel New Richmond Road. The project now involves rebuilding a 69-kV transmission line out of the substation along Bethel New Richmond Road.

Project Need

Demand for energy has grown in southwest Ohio, and Duke Energy is committed to providing dependable, cost-effective and reliable service to our customers.

Project Description

The transmission line rebuild involves replacing approximately 20 wood utility poles with steel poles and other upgraded equipment. The new steel poles are more reliable and require less ongoing maintenance and replacement costs. These poles are about 5 to10 feet taller than the wood poles. The project is located in the street right of way, so crews will be working adjacent to the road.

The detours from March 4, 2019 to May 6, 2019 are needed to accommodate the size of the construction equipment, as well as to provide safety for crews and the public. Signage with detour hours and directional information will be posted, and flaggers will be directing traffic. The work will allow passage for EMS crews, and the hours of construction will accommodate the schedule of area schools.

Detour information: March 4 through May 6 (8-mile, approximately 20-minute detour)

Road closure times: 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.; 4 p.m. to dusk Monday through Thursday
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to dusk. Schedule subject to change to accommodate New Richmond Exempted Village School District schedules.

Detour route:

• Bethel New Richmond Road, then left on Lauren Lindale Road
• Left on Lindale Nicholasville Road, then left on Lindale Mt. Holly Road
• Left on State Route 132, then left on State Route 52

Alternate route: Short Hill Road, a one-way road, will be turned into a one-lane road. Flaggers will be placed at each end to aid in traffic flow. 

Benefits to the Community

This project will provide more reliability for increased energy demand during extreme weather conditions.

Engagement 

A mailing was sent to homeowners in May 2017. Homeowners will be contacted directly if encroachments – fences, sheds and playsets, for example – need to be removed from the utility easement. Our crews need safe and unobstructed entrances to work on the transmission line. This also applies to vegetation such as trees, shrubs and brush around the transmission line. You will be contacted directly if any encroachments or vegetation issues affect your property.

Property owners received an additional mailing dated Sept. 8, 2017, in advance of October construction on the substation and the October rebuild construction on the transmission line along Bethel New Richmond Road.

An Oct. 31, 2017, letter to property owners shared details about rescheduling transmission line construction for spring 2018.

A July 2018 communication provided an update on the transmission line project.

A February 2019 communication provided an update resuming construction of the transmission line.