Construction Updates

Blind Bridge Circuit 6 Conversion Project – Browntown Road

We are converting (replacing the current wire with a much larger wire) around 4.2 miles of line from Highway 11 to Highway 50 to assist with load growth. This conversion enables us to increase the load capacity.

  • May 2024 Update – Project is complete.
  • April 2024 Update – The project will be completed within the first few weeks of April. The crew will be moving to Blind Bridge Circut 5.
  • March 2024 Update – The new poles are being set for the final mile, and work continues.
  • February 2024 Update – We are continuing the work on the last 2 miles of the project.
  • November 2023 Update – The new conductor and new poles have been set for the first mile and a half. We will continue to work on the next mile. (S Dobson Chapel Road between Browntown Road and Hwy 50.)
  • September 2023 Update – The poles have been set for the first mile, and we will start pulling the wire next week.
  • August 2023 Update – This project is starting today.

Transmission Line Project

We are replacing our current wood poles with galvanized steel poles from our Penderlea Switching Station to our Six Forks Substation (around seven miles). In addition to replacing the poles, we are converting (replacing the current wire with a much larger wire) the lines. These improvements will assist in helping us harden our system, which makes our system more reliable.

  • May 2024 Update – Crews are done with the Penderlea to Six forks work. They have moved to the NC Hw11/87 area in Columbus County to support the NC DOT project to rebuild the Hwy 11 and Hwy 87 interchange. We are replacing our current wood poles with galvanized steel poles from the Cape Fear River to our Armour Substation (around two (2) miles). In addition to replacing the poles, we are replacing the current wire with a much larger wire. We are also relocating some of the pole to remove them from the new NC DOT project area.
  • April 2024  Update – All new structures and wire have been delivered. On 4/6/2024, FCEMC will be working in the Rocky Point, Six Forks, and Maple Hill areas to improve the transmission system and increase capacity and reliability. We have performed as much work as possible with the system energized to minimize this outage duration. The current estimated time for this outage is approximately 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
  • March 2024  Update – Work is ongoing and will be completed around the 1st of April.
  • February 2024 Update – Work has continued, and we are pulling new conductor from Penderlea to Six Forks Substation.
  • November 2023 Update – Work has been temporarily halted due to supply issues.
  • September 2023 Update – The poles have arrived, and construction has started.
  • August 2023 Update – The existing wood transmission poles have been moved over. However, we are waiting for the new steel poles to be delivered before we can start installing them, which has delayed the project. Current estimates have the poles arriving in late September.
  • July 2023 Update – We are moving the existing wood transmission poles over so the new galvanized steel poles can stay in the same right of way. After moving the existing poles, we will install the new galvanized steel poles. We should start installing the new poles in mid to late July.

Chinquapin Circuit 1- Joe Hop Williams Road

  • May 2024 Update – Crews are still working on Joe Hop Williams Road – Chinquapin Ckt
  • April 2024 Update – The first mile of new conductor and structures have been completed, and work has begun on 2nd phase of the project.
  • January 2024 Update – Work has begun on the new project.

Carver Creek Circuit 3 Conversion Project

  • We are converting 1.7 miles of power lines along Highway 87 north of Elwell Ferry to allow for more capacity. This process involves changing the wire from the current size to a much larger one, modifying the hardware on the poles, and changing out most poles. To support the larger wire, we must add more poles in the line or shorten the distance between the poles. Making these modifications enables us to increase the load capacity.

Right-of-Way Tree Trimming

In May, we will be trimming trees in the Rocky Point Circuit 2,  Lisbon Circuit 2, and the Waycross to Ingold areas.

Current Wire vs New Wire Comparison Photos

Current Wire
New Wire

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Wire
New Wire