New Richmond Substation Expansion

Bethel New Richmond Road Construction Update: Project Postponed 

Duke Energy this month was planning to rebuild a 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the New Richmond Substation along Bethel New Richmond Road, a project that involved road closures and detours. The construction crews assigned to this project have now been called to support people affected by Hurricane Florence. 

As a result, the project on Bethel New Richmond Road is now postponed. The future date has not been determined. 

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. Duke Energy is expanding an existing substation located at 143 Bethel New Richmond Road. This project also will involve rebuilding a high-voltage transmission pole 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 expansion will take place on the north side of the substation. 
• The construction on a substation is similar to a typical construction site, with numerous crews, trucks and equipment working during daylight hours. The most noticeable part of the construction takes place early with clearing and grading. Expect to see line trucks, bucket trucks and other heavy equipment in the easement while construction is underway. Because portions of this work take place in road rights of way, temporary lane closures in some areas may be necessary to ensure the safety of crews as well as the safety of drivers. There also may be lulls between phases of construction.
• The transmission line rebuild involves replacing approximately 20 wood utility poles with galvanized steel poles and other associated equipment. The new steel poles are more reliable and require less ongoing maintenance and replacement costs. They also are about 5 to 10 feet taller than the wood poles. 

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.