Georgia Power is set to upgrade electric utilities at Gilmer High and adjacent properties.
The project is part of the company’s $1.3 billion initiative to enhance service and reliability in communities across the state and has been dubbed the “grid investment plan.”
Tom Hoopes, the acquisition project coordinator of Atlanta’s Smith Real Estate Services, presented the project on behalf of Georgia Power at April’s Gilmer County Board of Education work session.
“Georgia Power has identified several communities throughout its footprint in order to increase reliability of the electric service by placing the services underground,” Hoopes said. “This will prevent outages. It won’t do away with them, but it will certainly cut down on outages. It will increase the reliability to the school property itself, which is why we’re here today.”
He added, “What Georgia Power is proposing to the school board is doing both a pretty substantial underground system on the school property, along with the supporting equipment.”
The utilities that would be relocated underground are those on Gilmer High’s and the Larry Walker Education Center’s campuses, as well as some of the lines at Mountain View Elementary.
Hoopes noted the project is voluntary and dependent upon each community’s or entity’s willingness to participate.
One concern raised by board chairman Ronald Watkins was how the influx of construction crews and equipment could further congest the flow of traffic during the beginning and end of the school day.
Hoopes mentioned a scenario where work could begin after the start of the school day with construction subsiding during pickup times when buses and parents are entering campuses. Crews will also work Saturday’s when there will be minimal traffic.
“It’s worth noting also that as far as the construction of the underground lines itself, these are all going to bored, it’s not going to be overhead,” Hoopes said. “So it’s going to greatly diminish the impact on the property.”
The board unanimously approved the easement at April’s regular meeting
The project is expected to take just under six months and has been divided into three phases. The opening phase will take place between May 24 and Aug. 31 with the boring of underground lines.
Phase two will consist of the installation of necessary equipment, which will take place from approximately Aug. 18 to Sept. 15.
The final phase will include the “energization” and removal of the overhead lines between Oct. 21 and Nov. 15.
Gilmer High’s graduation will take place at the end of the month. Georgia Power has agreed to cease all construction related activities near Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium on May 27 and 28 and will keep the area clear of both materials and equipment.