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Puget Sound Energy electric transmission project

Sammamish – Juanita 115 kV transmission line

Spring 2013 project updates

• PSE is currently working on the project design for the preferred final route.The preferred final route was developed in collaboration with the stakeholder advisory group and input from the community and meeting materials listed below. Read the Recommendations Report.
• We are working to refine the preferred final route and evaluate the different engineering alignment options and environmental impacts, including impacts to trees, streams and wetlands. Our current focus is on refining the route:
  • Within the railroad corridor in Kirkland. We are coordinating with the City of Kirkland as the City develops the master plan for the Cross Kirkland Corridor. In addition, we have coordinated with the Washington State Department of Transportation to confirm there are no foreseeable conflicts with crossing Interstate 405 within the railroad corridor north of Northeast 116th Street.
  • Between the buildings west of Willows Road. We have had conversations with property owners, which resulted in a possible alignment that crosses a portion of parcel that may pose permitting issues. We have met with the City of Redmond to provide an update on the alignment and discuss the City’s land use code and the permitting issues facing this route.
• Over the next few months, our consultants will be conducting additional environmental studies and considering ways to mitigate project impacts. In addition, we will continue to coordinate with city and agency staff, as well as property owners along the preferred final route.
• We continue to keep the stakeholder advisory committee informed of project progress and respond to questions and concerns from individual property owners.
• We anticipate submitting permit applications in late 2014, and expect to begin construction of the transmission line in 2015 or 2016, depending on design and permitting schedules.
• View some typical 115 kV transmission lines and poles.

Project overview

Customer power usage is straining the electric system serving Redmond and Kirkland, which reduces PSE's ability to reliably serve power to area residents and businesses. To increase electric system capacity and improve reliability for customers, PSE plans to construct approximately 4.5 miles of 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the Sammamish substation (9221 Willows Rd. NE in Redmond) to just south of the existing Juanita substation (10910 NE 132nd St. in Kirkland) to interconnect with an existing transmission line that crosses over Northeast 124th Street.

For more information about the project, review our project fact sheet. To learn more about the community-involved siting process for the project, review the advisory group and open house meeting information listed below.

Download full-sized map

Project Map

Contact us

For more information about this project, please email info@sammjuan115.com or call our project manager, Barry Lombard, at 425-456-2230.

What is a transmission line?

Transmission lines are key elements in the electrical distribution system. The lines safely transport high voltage electricity from power generation sources like dams and wind generating facilities to substations in local communities. Transmission normally takes place at voltages of 55 kV and higher.

Committed to keeping you informed

PSE will continue to provide updates to the community. We will notify residents and businesses near the project area when construction will occur. We aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.

Download the information

Download these PDF files for more detail on PSE's Sammamish-Juanita 115 kV electric transmission line project.

Frequently asked questions, updated October 2012
Stakeholder Advisory Group’s Recommendations Report, October 2012
Project update, September 2012
Project fact sheet, updated September 2012
Map: PSE's preferred final route
Map: PSE's preferred final route (aerial)
Preferred final route postcard, September 2012