A 143-mile segment of the controversial Arrowhead-Weston transmission line is now in service between Stone Lake and the Weston Power plant, Arrowhead Transmission Co. announced Wednesday.
The segment is handling less than its full capacity but will carry the full 345-kilovolt load when the system is completed in 2008.
"Cooperation from residents along the line has been a critical component in getting this important public works project nearer to completion," Pete Holtz, ATC project manager of the Arrowhead-Weston line, said in a prepared statement.
Testing of the line began Nov. 16. It was placed in service Nov. 30. The energized line will supply needed power as the existing lines are taken out of service and rebuilt on the new 345-kV structures.
Sixty-six miles of construction remains, said Dave Valine, Wisconsin Public Service Corp. construction coordinator, with work currently underway in Douglas and Washburn counties. Construction began in Superior about two weeks ago and will continue through the winter, moving south as another crew works north from Washburn County.
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"We're on schedule to be done by mid 2008," Holtz said.
The project is entering its ninth year. ATC will own and operate the line upon completion. WPS has been in charge of construction activities and coordinating those activities with Minnesota Power, which has already completed the 12-mile segment in Minnesota.
