The line will run from a new substation that ITC will build near the Western Farmers Electric Cooperative Hugo power plant west of Fort Towson to an existing substation southeast of Valliant. Construction is projected to begin during the second quarter of 2011. The project is scheduled to enter service by the end of March 2012.
Carl Huslig, president of ITC, said: “We have worked very closely with state and local officials, community and business leaders, landowners and other interested parties during the development our first project as a new utility in Oklahoma.
“The support and feedback we’ve received has been very helpful in guiding our design efforts. The result is a new route that combines elements of the initial routes with some redirection intended to minimize the impacts of the line on residents and their properties.”
ITC conducted a preliminary route study and developed three potential corridors through portions of Choctaw and McCurtain counties. In an effort to seek community input, the company also presented the routes to landowners and community representatives.
