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.

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.

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

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.

Rocky Point Circuit 1 Conversion Project

We are converting 6.5 miles of power lines between Shaw Hwy and Island Creek 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.

April 2024 Update – Work is complete.
March 2024 Update – Work is ongoing. The first mile of poles has been set, and we are pulling the new conductor through.
February 2024 Update – Work is complete for this project.
November 2023 Update – The conductor and poles have been replaced on miles 4 and 5 of the project. Members have been transferred to the new wire, and work will continue onto the next mile. (Between Shaw Highway and Bloodworth’s curve.)
September 2023 Update – The third mile of conversion is complete, and we have started working on the fourth mile. We should begin setting poles next week and pulling the new wire a few weeks later.
August 2023 Update – The second mile of conversion from the Saratoga Subdivision to Navillus Blvd. is complete. We are currently working on the third mile beginning at Navillus Blvd. We are setting new poles and will start pulling the new wire within the next few weeks.
July 2023 Update – The first mile of conversion from the Cross Creek Subdivision to the Saratoga Subdivision is complete. We are currently working on the second mile from the Saratoga Subdivision to Navillus Blvd. All the poles are set, and the new wire has been pulled in but is not in use yet. We will start transferring the load within the next two weeks.

Right-of-Way Tree Trimming

In April, we will be trimming trees in the Rocky Point Circuit 1, Lisbon Circuit 2, and in the Ingold areas.

Current Wire vs New Wire Comparison Photos

Construction Updates