Appalachian Power plans to develop new or modified routing options for its proposed 20-mile Bancroft-Milton Transmission Line rebuild project that would avoid the popular near Hurricane, West Virginia, the power company announced Thursday.
The announcement follows a pair of well-attended public meetings on the transmission line project in August. The meetings Ƶallowed our project team members to hear directly from landowners and community members about their specific concerns about their properties and the Meeks Mountain Trails,Ƶ Appalachian Power spokesman George Porter said.
These vehicles were washed into Smith Creek near Tornado, Kanawha County, by the April 11, 2024, flooding. HD Media
Courtesy photo
The power company will continue its review input Ƶof all route options presented in August and develop new or modified line route options that avoid Meeks Mountain Trails,Ƶ according to an .
Before modified route options can be presented to the public, the power company must first conduct additional field studies and due diligence work to make sure the options are viable and that they Ƶreflect the communityƵs feedback,Ƶ according to the release.
The power company plans to host additional open houses next spring to collect public input on the modified route options for the transmission line. Landowners along the modified route options and the existing transmission line route can expect to receive more information about the open houses once dates are confirmed, according to the release.
ƵWe appreciate the communityƵs patience through this process,Ƶ Appalachian Power President Aaron Walker said. ƵThe Teays Valley area and surrounding communities have seen tremendous growth in recent years, and this project is necessary to deliver reliable power to our customers. We look forward to taking additional route options to the community, gathering more feedback, and finding the electrical solution that fits this community.Ƶ
Appalachian Power plans to file an application to move forward with the project with the Public Service Commission next fall. If approved, construction would begin in the summer of 2028 and be completed by early 2031.
An attempt to reach an organizer with the Meeks Mountain Trails group was unsuccessful.
The Meeks Mountain Trails system is a volunteer-built network of more than 30 miles of trails suitable for biking, hiking and running. In 2018, work began on the trail system, which is a partnership involving the Thor Meeks family, the City of Hurricane and the Meeks Mountain Trails Alliance. A trailhead for the system is found at Hurricane City Park.
During the August public meetings, trail users voiced concerns over each of the earlier proposed power line alignments bisecting multiple Meeks Mountain trails with 100-foot rights-of-way for roads and equipment installation.
Rick Steelhammer is a features reporter. He can be reached at 304-348-5169 or rsteelhammer@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ on Twitter.
