Tri-State announces construction, access restrictions at the Dolores River transmission line crossing
- Tri-State to rebuild transmission line to 230-kilovolt capacity, approximately one mile west of existing transmission line.
- Construction expected to continue through the month of October.
- Traffic and recreational activities to be temporarily impacted during periods of construction. No public access will be available during construction activities.
(September 21, 2020 – Westminster, Colo.) – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association announced today that it will begin construction of the final portion of the Nucla-Cahone transmission line at the Dolores River Canyon, beginning Sept. 28. Construction activities are expected to continue through the end of October.
Tri-State has been rebuilding the Montrose-Nucla-Cahone transmission line to 230-kilovolt from 115-kilovolt capacity, through portions of Dolores, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties, over the past three years. A portion of the Nucla-Cahone transmission line will be re-routed over the Dolores River, approximately one mile west of its current location, to ensure better future access to the new line for maintenance activities.
By Sept. 28, the Montrose-Nucla-Cahone transmission line will be rebuilt, with the exception of the Dolores River Canyon crossing. Construction activities at the Dolores River crossing are expected to occur over a four-week period, subject to various factors including weather. Construction activities in the canyon are expected to temporarily impact access to the canyon in proximity to the transmission line crossing.
In order to ensure the safety of the construction crews and the public during the construction activities, a traffic control plan has been developed in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management, Tres Rios Field Office and the Dolores Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest (USFS). The safety of the construction crews and public, particularly those involved in recreational activities in the area, is of significant importance.
The traffic control plan includes temporary Barries, signage and monitors, which will be placed during stringing of the new wires and wreck-out of the existing wires, at locations that have direct access to the area where the transmission line crosses the canyon. Construction activities will occur between 7 a.m. MDT and 7 p.m. MDT Monday through Saturday. Barriers will be moved outside of these times frames, and whenever wire pulling or wreck-out activities are not occurring at the canyon crossing, to allow for recreational access.
Specific traffic impact information includes:
- Tri-State has posted signs at the Bradfield Bridge and the intersection with SFS roads with public information on the construction work. Vehicle access to the transmission rights-of-way (ROW) at the crossing will be restricted to Tri-State construction traffic only.
- A monitor will be placed at the South Gate of Road 509 (which intersects with the power line road ROW) on the San Juan National Forest to notify hunters and other recreationists to avoid the area where active construction is taking place.
- Tri-State plans to utilize a traffic control company that will be supervised by a construction inspector working for Tri-State, to manage traffic and recreational access during wire pulling activities.
- Roads and trails with direct access to the canyon at the south rim will be cleared using ATVs in the morning. Tri-State will conduct a sweep of interior areas in the morning prior to wire activities occurring in the canyon using the helicopter that will be used for wire pulling activities.
The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service approved the rebuild through the Dolores Canyon in February 2017.
Tri-State expressed its appreciation for the opportunity to complete its transmission line project, and for the public's understanding and patience as it completes this critical segment of the project. For more information or questions related to construction activities, please contract Tri-State's Construction Hotline at 800-360-3393
Note to News Media: Due to activities taking place in remote areas, safety concerns and current health restrictions, land management authorities have determined access to the work site will not be available to news media when construction activities are taking place. Tri-State will make information, b-roll and still photos available to news media for coverage upon request; please contact the company through the information provided below.
About Tri-State
Tri-State is a not-for-profit cooperative of 45 members, including 42 member utility electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts in four states, that together deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State and our Responsible Energy Plan, visit www.tristate.coop.
Contact:
Mark Stutz, 303-254-3183, mstutz@tristategt.org
Certain information contained in this press statement are forward-looking statements including statements concerning Tri-State’s plans, future events, and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described from time to time in Tri-State’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tri-State’s expectations and beliefs are expressed in good faith, and Tri-State believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, Tri-State cannot assure you that management’s expectations and beliefs will be achieved. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein.