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Indiana Michigan Power is hosting virtual open houses for the public to learn more about a transmission line project planned in the Fairplain area. I&M has released the following:
Starting today, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will host a virtual open house as it plans to invest more than $17 million to increase reliability for Berrien County customers.
The Benton Harbor-Fair Plain Transmission Line Rebuild Project will ensure customers in Benton Harbor and Fair Plain continue to have safe and reliable electric service.
The project includes:
Upgrading approximately 7 miles of 34.5–kilovolt (kV) transmission line to 69 kV standards.
Rebuilding some sections of the high voltage transmission line in I&M’s existing right-of-way and re-routing other sections.
Upgrading wooden power poles to steel monopoles.
The project will help reduce outage durations times and promote economic growth in this portion of Berrien County.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), landowners and community members are invited to a virtual open house to learn more and share input, particularly on possible route options.
Please visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/BentonHarbor to access project information, view an interactive map and submit comments through the “Contact Us” link until Feb. 26.
The company encourages landowners to provide input to help determine a final proposed power line route that minimizes impacts to the community and environment.
Construction on the year-long project is set to begin in the fall of 2022 and conclude in the fall of 2023.
I&M has released the following fact sheet to explain the project: