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 McDowell and Wyoming counties.

The Baileysville-Rockridge Transmission Line Rebuild Project involves upgrading approximately 17 miles of transmission line in or near the existing right-of-way. Upgrades also include improvements to four substations in the area.

The power line rebuild begins at a substation in Baileysville located off Brier Creek Road and continues southwest for 17 miles, traveling through Sandy Huff and Apple Grove. The upgrades end at a substation in Rockridge located off Strawberry Avenue.

“The existing Baileysville-Rockridge transmission line uses wooden poles from the 1960s,” said George Porter, Appalachian Power spokesperson. “The upgrades involve the use of modern, steel towers to help ensure reliable electric service for our customers.”

Company representatives invite landowners to a virtual open house at AppalachianPower.com/Baileysville 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 (CDC) 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.

“The online open house and comment cards allow us to gather input while keeping the public’s health and safety our top priority,” Porter said. “We encourage landowners to fill out the comment card, submit comments online or give us a call to ask questions and provide feedback.”

Company representatives expect construction to begin late 2021 and conclude by the end of 2023.

Additional information about the project is available on the website.