Gilmer County residents will soon be able to voice their concerns and ask questions about a high transmission power line project that’s been rerouted to run up Highway 515.
Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) will hold two “drop-in” open house meetings Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Gilmer County Civic Center, 1559 South Main Street. Both meetings are open to the public. Times are 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. GTC representatives will be present to hear questions and comments about the project.
After hearing concerns from property owners and input from state officials including House Speaker David Ralston and Sen. Steve Gooch, GTC announced, in May, that it would move the Whitepath Electric Reliability Project from the original route along Boardtown Road to Highway 515.
The project, being done to boost electric service and reduce power outages for Amicalola EMC customers, includes installation of approximately 11 miles of overhead subtransmission power lines and high steel poles, as well as construction of a new substation.
According to a recent release and project map issued by GTC, the route will start at the existing Ellijay Primary substation on Industrial Boulevard. It will run east along Industrial Boulevard for half a mile before turning southeast behind Food Lion, then running parallel to Lanning Road and Fowler Street.
The route then continues northeast along Highway 515 a short distance before running parallel to Mulberry Street and Riverside Drive for almost half a mile, making a 90-degree turn and crossing the Cartecay River. The route then continues up Highway 515 for 9 miles, ending at a new substation to be built near the intersection of Lucius Road and Cherry Log Street.
A letter sent to property owners along the route notes that easements 25-125 feet wide will first have to be acquired, and the right of eminent domain could be exercised.
That letter also states: “GTC will require rights to cut and remove dead, diseased and weak or leaning trees located within 10 to 30 foot ‘danger tree’ easements located adjacent to the sub-transmission line right of way. GTC may also seek to acquire 30-foot wide non-exclusive rights of access off the subtransmission line right of way to construct and maintain the subtransmission line.”
Shortly before the new project route was announced, GTC representative Terry Cole noted that going with an alternate route means the entire preconstruction process starts all over again.
“There will be a whole other set of Gilmer County citizens who will be impacted, so we want to make sure to give them an opportunity to have their opinions expressed,” she said then.
Cole said both Highway 515 and the abandoned CSX Railroad corridor had been identified as alternative routes because they represented existing corridors.
After Boardtown residents and other members of the local community asked GTC to consider moving the project to one of those alternate routes, an engineering study was done to determine if either was a practical and feasible alternative, Cole noted.
The old railroad corridor wasn’t deemed practical or feasible because of “significant access constraints, rugged terrain, potential for environmental impacts and its historic eligibility.”
Clearing for the Whitepath project could begin as early as 2023. However, the public discussion process could delay or greatly change the project, which was the final outcome after much feedback was given in response to the original Boardtown route.
Cole noted that the Whitepath project is part of a broader effort to boost service for Amicalola EMC customers. In coming months, AEMC will start working to replace existing power distribution poles along Boardtown Road.
Safety precautions for public meeting
Per GTC, the public meetings will include proper social distancing, availability of hand sanitizer and frequent sanitizing of all surfaces and materials.
Meeting attendees who aren’t fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to wear a face covering, and anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or who’s been exposed within 14 days prior to the meeting shouldn’t attend.
Public input can also be provided by calling 470-542-7949 anytime during the hours of the upcoming meetings. Comments made by phone will be recorded for the official meeting transcript.