To service tens of thousands of homes planned across the Northwest Valley, Arizona Public Service Co. must string 40 miles of new high-voltage power lines predominantly through Surprise and its general planning area by 2012.
Because the lines could possibly affect property values in Surprise and nearby unincorporated areas such as Wittmann and Circle City, APS and Surprise officials are in the process of hammering out what they feel would be the most non-invasive routes.
A route proposal that would eventually be voted on by the Arizona Corporation Commission will likely go before the Surprise City Council within the next few months.
Until then, 388 miles of differing routes are being considered, said APS project manager Michael DeWitt.
The proposed routes generally run through the unincorporated Northwest Valley, bounded by 275th Avenue on the west, 187th Avenue on the east, the Dixileta Drive alignment to the south and the Cloud Road alignment to the north.
A portion of one proposed route stretches through Surprise, generally near Grand and 203rd avenues.
The lines are expected to cost APS about $125 million to build. If all goes as planned, construction would begin early next year so that the lines could be in service by 2012.
DeWitt said that input from local developers and residents is being considered.
To avoid scarring scenic landscapes, he said the voltage towers would be built along existing roads and road alignments and away from open space and people’s homes. APS is also working with the state Land Department to find construction sites that are far away from existing landmarks.
The lines would start at a substation in Buckeye and connect to an APS locale in Peoria. APS is also working with those municipalities to find the best route, DeWitt said.
Five other similar APS projects are planned across the Valley. DeWitt said APS examines population growth and the need for new lines each year. Future lines are typically planned at least three years in advance, because that is how long it takes for a proposed project to go from the planning stages to winning approval from the Corporation Commission, he said. Once the latter happens, the lines can enter service.
To see a map of the routes being considered in the Northwest Valley and to view other APS projects, visit www.aps.com/siting and click on the “current siting projects” link.
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