Castle Rock Transmission Rebuild Project

We are currently rebuilding approximately 25 miles of 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines connecting the Palmer Lake, Castle Rock, Crowfoot Valley, Happy Canyon and Daniels Park substations in Douglas County.

The transmission lines were originally built in the 1950s. Due to natural weathering and the overall age of structures, they have reached the end of their useful life and will be replaced.

Yes. We will replace the aged wood-framed poles with steel monopoles and the new line will withstand higher than normal windspeeds, proactively minimize the risk of wildfire and help meet the growing energy needs of homes and businesses for years to come. The new structures will also be equipped with shield wires above the energized line. This equipment adds to the structure height but also provides protection against lightning strikes.

No. We will place notice signs on the trail to let users know about the construction project and may place matting over the trail to enable heavy equipment to access the easement to do work but the trail will remain open for use during the project.

No. Construction will take place within the Xcel Energy’s existing right-of-way and the project will be completed in several phases.

In 2002, Xcel Energy was the first utility in the country to enter into agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address potential issues involving birds and power lines. As part of our Avian Protection Plan, Xcel Energy uses three main strategies to reduce the number of birds that are injured or die when they contact power lines or electrical equipment. The strategies are: 

• Preventive – Facility design standards meet industry standards to prevent or mitigate avian incidents.
• Proactive – Employees are educated on bird/power line interactions and are involved in organizations that conduct avian interaction research. Additionally, for the Pathway project specifically, we will evaluate data for nesting birds as part of our transmission line routing study and any required pre-construction surveys will be completed.
• Reactive – Xcel Energy employees documents mortalities, notifies resource agencies, and applies remedial measures where appropriate.

Project work will occur in phases. Access road improvements, grading and vegetation work will be conducted prior to construction. Temporary construction areas (TCEs) will be used to stage construction equipment and materials, including temporary construction trailers, cranes, steel structures and other related materials.

Sections of each structure are transported by truck to installation locations and the crane lifts the structure pieces into place. Once the transmission structures are installed, crews will string the conductor wire through the structures. Construction schedules are subject to change.