(KTNC)-- Work is moving along on the Nebraska portion of a high-voltage power line that will run from Nebraska City to near Kansas City. The Omaha Public Power District is building the part of the Midwest Transmission Project in southeast Nebraska, which runs 45 miles through portions of Otoe, Nemaha, and Richardson counties.
OPPD officials say in the latest project update that they have acquired one-third of the easements necessary for the Nebraska portion of the project. The company says it has passed the 90-percent milestone in designing the transmission line and they have completed environmental surveys for the project and are working with state and federal agencies on securing the necessary permits.
OPPD Environmental Administrator Patrick Finigan says since the line crosses the Missouri River, they had to conduct a study to determine how the project might impact the Northern Long-eared Bat, which could be included on the Endangered Species List as soon as next year. Finigan says they found two Northern Long-eared Bats on the Nebraska side of project.
The Midwest Transmission Project spans 180 miles between Nebraska City and Sibley, Missouri. It's one of the Southwest Power Pool's priority projects, meant to increase the reliability of electrical transmission in the area. Construction is expected to start next summer and the line should be in service in the summer of 2017.
OPPD says they have also begun the process to upgrade two 69-kilovolt lines near the MTP transmission line and have begun contacting landowners who may be impacted by the project.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Severe storms move through NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Commission approves agreement for budget help
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
Council hears report from golf course
NVCH receives $415,000 grant for expansion project
LATEST STORIES
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Road, railway repairs, underway in Atchison this week
KS replacement plates see long wait times
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
One injured in Holt County MO wreck
Field survey set in Brown Co at U.S 77/K-20 junction
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Pawnee County Rural Health Clinic participating in DHHS program
RELATED STORIES
OPPD Board Approves Power Pole Purchase
OPPD to Begin Negotiating Easements for Transmission Line
Energy-Savings Presentation Thursday in Falls City
OPPD Makes Payments in Lieu of Taxes to Counties
OPPD Sends Payments In-Lieu-of-Taxes to Counties
OPPD Makes Record Payment in Lieu of Taxes