CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Appalachian Power representatives and the utility’s affiliate, AEP West Virginia Transmission Co., Inc., plan upgrades to the electric transmission system serving customers in Kanawha County.

The Hernshaw Area Improvements Project involves building approximately 4 miles of electric transmission line and expanding a substation located on Four Mile Hollow Road. The upgrades enable the retirement of two parallel 6-mile transmission lines located on difficult terrain and reduce the likelihood of landslides in the area.

“The existing transmission lines date back almost 100 years,” said George Porter, Appalachian Power spokesperson. “Retiring the lines and building a new line with modern equipment helps to strengthen the local power grid and improves electric reliability for customers. The location of the new line also allows us to more easily access the line to conduct maintenance.”  

The upgrades begin at a substation on Four Mile Hollow Road in Hernshaw and continue east for approximately 4 miles, crossing Lens Creek Road, Left Fork Road and I-64/I-77. The upgrades end at a substation located along the Kanawha River in Marmet.

Company representatives invite landowners to a virtual open house at AppalachianPower.com/Hernshaw to learn more about the project and provide feedback to the project team. Hosting the open house online complies with the social distancing recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Landowners within the project area can expect to receive a packet in the mail that includes additional project details and a comment card they can return by mail with their feedback.

Company representatives expect construction to begin late 2021 and conclude by the end of 2022.

Additional information about the project is available on the website.