LCRA Transmission Services Corporation has begun an electric transmission upgrade project in parts of Comal and Guadalupe counties. The upgrade will run from the electric substation near Landa Park in New Braunfels through subdivisions east of Interstate 35 and continue to Seguin. We will be working with your local electric utility to minimize disruption to your electric service during that time. We also will work with property owners along the line to reduce the impact of construction.
Protecting reliability
The transmission line that LCRA will replace was built in the 1950s when the combined population of Comal and Guadalupe counties was about 42,000. The combined population of both counties is now approaching 200,000. The increased population brings increased use of electricity. Because the existing system was not built to handle current demands, system overloads are likely. These overloads can damage electrical equipment and interrupt your electric service. Lightning, heavy ice, high winds and other events or conditions can cause transmission lines to fail, ultimately overloading the remaining lines as electricity is rerouted. These overload conditions can lead to extended loss of electric power if the lines fail.
The existing transmission line that runs from New Braunfels to Seguin is expected to exceed its capacity by summer 2006. LCRA Transmission Services Corporation must upgrade the line as soon as possible to prevent loss of electric power in your area.
The project
This project covers nearly 16 miles from the Comal Substation near Landa Park in New Braunfels to the Seguin Substation off Interstate 10 in Seguin. As part of the upgrade to this 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, new, taller steel or concrete poles will be installed. In some cases, existing wooden poles will remain near the newer poles to carry lower capacity electric distribution lines owned by New Braunfels Utilities. The project will be constructed in five segments. Work on the first of these segments began this summer. The entire project is expected to be complete by summer of 2006.
How the project affects you
We will work with property owners along the right of way to keep you informed and help protect your property and safety.
Preconstruction activities include trimming and clearing of trees and other vegetation long the line.
While these activities will be limited to the transmission easement, it may be necessary in some situations to cross adjacent properties to access the easement area. The work will involve large trucks, other heavy equipment, and LCRA and contractors' vehicles. We will try to keep disturbances to a minimum and will restore affected properties as completely as possible after the work is completed.
You will be able to use the easement property as long as activities do not interfere with construction, operation, maintenance or safety along the line.
Trees and transmission lines
Since the transmission line from New Braunfels to Seguin was built in the 1950s, trees have grown under or near the line. Many of these trees will have to be trimmed, or, in some cases, removed, to allow for access to the line and to protect the people who live near it.
Trees are among the most common cause of electric outages and can be dangerous when they contact or grow too close to electric power lines. LCRA is dedicated to maintaining reliable electric service and preventing trees from creating potential hazards. By trimming or clearing trees that have grown up around or under the transmission lines, LCRA is able to greatly reduce the chance for power outages or fires.
If you have questions about this project, please contact:
Anna Chance
Lower Colorado River Authority
Transmission Regulatory and Real Estate Services
P.O. Box 220
Austin, Texas 78767-0220
1-800-776-5272, Ext. 4196
(512) 369-4196
e-mail: LCRA Transmission Services
