CHARLESTON, W.Va.,– Appalachian Power representatives and the utility’s affiliate, AEP West Virginia Transmission Co., Inc., plan to increase electric reliability by upgrading the power grid serving customers in Raleigh and Wyoming counties.

The Trap Hill Area Transmission Line Project involves:

• Building approximately 6 miles of electric transmission line in Raleigh County

• Making upgrades to three existing electrical stations in Raleigh County

• Building a new electrical station in Wyoming County

The area currently has one power line that dates back 40 years. This project provides an additional power source and allows crews to conduct maintenance work without having to interrupt service to customers for extended periods of time.

The project also allows crews to replace equipment from the 1920s inside the company’s Dameron, Trap Hill and Bolt electrical stations located in Raleigh County. The stations have experienced several malfunctions in recent years and are difficult to maintain due to outdated equipment.

“The aging equipment has resulted in customer outages,” said George Porter, Appalachian Power spokesperson. “The planned upgrades can help to address these issues and strengthen the electric transmission grid.”

Several route options are under evaluation for the new transmission line. The proposed line begins at Dameron Station located off McGinnis Cemetery Road near Beckley. The project continues south through Glen Daniel, crossing Harper Road and ending at Bolt Station located off Adkins Lane in Lester.

Company representatives invite landowners to a virtual open house at AppalachianPower.com/TrapHill to learn more about the project and provide feedback to the project team. Hosting the open house online complies with the social distancing recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Landowners within the project area can expect to receive a packet in the mail that includes additional project details and a comment card they can return with their feedback.

The project team plans to use input from the virtual open house, the comment cards and additional field work to determine a power line route that minimizes impact on the community and environment.

Company representatives expect construction to begin in the summer of 2022 and conclude by March 2024.

Visit the website for additional information about the project.