RAPID CITY, S.D. – Black Hills Energy has started construction on a project to rebuild a 55-year old electric transmission line in Rapid City to improve the safety and reliability of the regional electrical grid, the company announced. The 8-mile transmission line rebuild project will replace aging infrastructure, originally built in 1964, and upgrade the line with modern materials and construction standards.
“This project will allow Black Hills Energy to meet our customers’ current and future energy needs, as well as ensure we continue to maintain our industry-leading reliability far into the future,” said Marc Eyre, Black Hills Energy’s vice president of electric operations in South Dakota. “Upgrading this critical transmission line will not only strengthen the energy grid, but also support continued economic growth in the region. Reliable energy is one of the first resources a new or expanding business looks for.”
“Rapid City looks a lot different than it did in 1964 when the line was originally installed,” continued Eyre. “As we rebuild the line, we’ll also improve access to allow for ongoing maintenance which is critical to system reliability,” he added. “We have been working closely with landowners and other stakeholders to coordinate and provide information on this critical project.”
Construction of the transmission line rebuild project will stretch from Black Hills Energy’s transmission substation north of Rapid City and run 8-miles south through Rapid City. The line will end at the Black Hills Energy transmission substation in South Rapid City. Construction will occur in two phases to minimize service disruptions.
The project will employ more than 75 contractors and employees who will be on site at various times during construction. The company’s first priority is always safety. Black Hills Energy crews are fully trained and equipped to ensure public and crew safety, and we will provide key safety information to landowners along the line.
“Keeping the energy grid running takes careful planning, maintenance, communication and investments in new infrastructure,” Eyre said. “We must anticipate customer needs well in advance and we cannot wait for a system to fail before initiating a process that can take years to complete. This investment in the system represents Black Hills Energy’s ongoing commitment to our customers to provide safe, reliable energy.”
