CHARLESTON, W.Va., Oct. 19, 2026 – Appalachian Power Company (APCo) plans to begin the second phase of work for its Kincaid Area Transmission Line Project: Whitewater 69-kilovolt (kV) Extension in Fayette County. Construction crews will install lit marker balls and rebuild approximately one mile of transmission line spanning the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommendations. The marker balls, which will feature steady red lights, are part of upgrades to a transmission line crossing originally built in the 1970s and will improve visibility for pilots operating in the area.
“Safety and reliability are at the heart of this project,” said George Porter, Appalachian Power spokesperson. “Adding FAA-recommended marker balls over the New River Gorge will improve visibility for pilots, while the associated upgrades allow us to rebuild aging infrastructure, strengthen the transmission system and reduce the likelihood of prolonged outages for customers.”
Tree clearing and access road work are scheduled to begin in November. Construction activities are expected to begin in early 2027 and conclude by spring 2027. APCo remains committed to minimizing impacts to nearby property owners and keeping the community informed throughout construction. Residents can learn more about the project by visiting AppalachianPower.com/Kincaid.
Phase one of the Kincaid Area Transmission Line Project included building approximately 15 miles of 69-kV transmission line, rebuilding approximately two miles of 69-kV transmission line, building two new substations and upgrading several existing substations in Fayette County. Construction on those improvements began in late 2023 and concluded earlier this year.