River Falls to Hudson Reliability Project

As the populations of Hudson and River Falls continue to grow, the demand for reliable electricity rises in tandem. This growth places increased pressure on existing infrastructure, highlighting the need for modernized and expanded transmission lines and associated substations. To provide voltage support for the area, Xcel Energy is proposing to build a new transmission line to connect the 115kV line north of River Falls to the 115kV line north of Hudson. This important transmission and distribution project will provide significant benefits to electric customers throughout the area and support residential, commercial and industrial development in western Wisconsin (particularly in northern Pierce County and into southern St. Croix County)

Project Route Segments

The proposed transmission route segments follow existing roads and infrastructure as much as possible. The project will begin at the River Falls substation and run north on the eastern side of Hudson concluding north of Interstate 94 at the Willow River substation. Several possible route segments are under consideration to connect the proposed Junction Mill substation north of River Falls to the Sono Junction substation north of Interstate 94. Some segments described below are alternative route options and some segments are without an alternative due to their location within the system or a lack of a viable alternative route.  Only one route will be constructed

• Segment A:  A single circuit 69kV line that will replace the existing 115kV line
• Segment B:  A double circuit 69/115 KV line that will replace the existing 115 kV line.
• Segment C:  A single circuit 115 kV line that will run north to Junction Mill.
• Segment D:  A single circuit 115 kV line that runs north along Radio Road.
• Segment E:  A single circuit 115 kV line that runs north along Highway 35 across Interstate 94.
• Segment F:  A single circuit 115 kV line that runs east along Chapman Drive, north along County Road U, west along County Road N, and north across Interstate 94.
• Segment G:  A single circuit 115 kV line that runs north along Highway 12 into Sono Junction substation.
• Segment K:  Reuse the existing 115 kV circuit southwest along the transmission line corridor into the existing Willow River substation.
• Segment L:  A double circuit 115 kV Line coming north out of Sono Junction Substation to just north of the existing C&NW railroad tracks.
• Segment M: A double circuit 115 kV Line that turns west on the north side of the existing C&NW railroad tracks and then turns north along a section line, crossing over County Road A continuing north before connecting with an existing transmission line corridor.
• Segment N: A double circuit 115 kV Line that heads north on the east side of County Road U/County Road A before moving to the west side of County Road A prior to turning west along a section line and connecting with an existing transmission line corridor.

Project Timeline

• File Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW): 2026
• Commission review: 12-18 months to review and evaluate route options included in the Route Permit application: Decision expected late 2026
• Construction is slated to begin: 2028
• Target completion date for construction: 2030s