Appalachian Power's AEP West Virginia Transmission plans to upgrade the power in Raleigh and Wyoming counties in West Virginia through the Trap Hill Area Transmission Line Project.
The project involves building about six miles of electric transmission line in Raleigh County, making upgrades to three existing electrical stations in Raleigh County; and building the new Crany Road electrical station in Wyoming County.
The existing Bradley-Dameron transmission line, which is more than 40 years old, serves as the only power source in the area. The project is to provide an additional power source and allowscrews to conduct maintenance work without having to interrupt service to customers for extended periods of time.
The project also allows crews to replace equipment from the 1920s inside the company's Dameron, Trap Hill, and Bolt electrical stations located in Raleigh County, Appalachian Power said, adding that the stations have experienced several malfunctions in recent years and are difficult to maintain due to outdated equipment.
Several route options are under evaluation for the new transmission line, which begins at the Dameron station located off McGinnis Cemetery Road near Beckley, and continues south through Glen Daniel, crossing Harper Road and ending at the Bolt station located off Adkins Lane in Lester.
According to the project schedule, construction on the project would begin in June 2022, and the project would be in service in March 2024.
