FAQs: Burnet to Bertram to Andice

Substations and Transmission Lines Upgrade

What is PEC doing to the transmission line?
PEC will rebuild and upgrade the existing wood-pole transmission line that connects the existing Burnet substation to the existing Bertram and Andice substations in Burnet and Williamson County.

Why is this project needed?
The project will increase the capacity of the transmission system serving PEC members in Williamson County by installing larger conductors and providing the ability to add more conductors in the future. This will help meet the area’s growing demand for electrical power, improve reliability, and reduce maintenance costs.

What role does LCRA TSC have in the upgrade?
Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) will work in conjunction with PEC to upgrade structures they own along the route. They own the Burnet substation and approximately 1 mile of easement and structures from the Burnet substation.

What will be the impact of the project for landowners along the route and the community?
The primary impact will be during construction at the structures’ locations. PEC crews and contractors will utilize heavy machinery and equipment to dig holes, remove structures, install new structures, and replace existing wires that the structures support.

Where possible, the rebuild will take place within an area currently occupied by the existing transmission line to help minimize the impact to landowners adjacent to the existing line.

What will the new structures look like?
The structures are made of galvanized tubular steel poles capable of supporting two circuits and a shield wire. Each circuit is comprised of three sets of conductors, also referred to as phases. Structures needed at the large angles in transmission line will be placed on concrete foundations. The tangent structures needed to support the wires between the large angle structures will be placed directly in the ground with a concrete back fill.

How large will the structures be?
Structures and line are still being designed; however, large angle structures are expected to be between 6 and 8 feet in diameter at the base. Tangent structures are expected to be between 3 and 5 feet in diameter at the base. The height of the structures is expected to be between 95 and 120 feet above ground.