Agenda - Council - 06/25/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Enterprise Park to Crooked Lake 115 kV Transmission Line March 2012 Environmental Assessment communications towers. The portion of the Applicant's proposed route is an area where the transmission line ROW can be placed without affecting the railroad's utility accommodation policy. Route Segment Alternative A would parallel a portion of the railroad ROW where insufficient ROW exists for the placement of a transmission line. The route width would allow flexibility in the alignment of the transmission line such that roadways could be crossed in order to avoid certain sensitive resources. The transmission line would be designed in accordance with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards, which establish clearances required between transmission lines and transportation structures. These clearances are designed to accommodate a relative vehicle height of 14 feet, such that vehicle use could safety occur beneath the transmission line. Construction of the Project could result in temporary construction -related detours and road closures. Road or lane closures would occur where the alternatives cross and (to some degree) parallel roads. Closures and detours would typically be necessary to string transmission lines across roads, or to allow for the movement of construction vehicles and the delivery of construction materials. Due to the traffic volumes on local roads, it is not expected that lane closures would significantly delay travel times. Mitigation — Transportation The Project would be designed in accordance with NESC standards to minimize impacts to transportation. NESC standards establish clearances required between transmission lines and transportation structures. HVTL permits issued by the Commission direct the Permittee to comply with MnDOT and all applicable road authorities' management standards and policies during construction. The permits also direct the permittee to provide written notice of construction to MnDOT and applicable city, township, and county road authorities. Construction workforces could work closely with the Minnesota State Patrol and county officials to ensure the implementation of appropriate measures to safeguard the public and construction workforces, and to notify the public about planned road closures and detours. Potential interference with highway resurfacing projects could be reduced by coordinating construction schedules with MnDOT. Based on right -of- way maps provided by MnDOT, the Applicant believes there is adequate space to locate the physical components of the transmission line outside of MnDOT's existing Hwy 10 right-of-way. The Applicant will conduct a detailed field survey as well as locate all existing underground utilities prior to submitting its Plan and Profile to the Commission for review. After these activities are completed and a final design is established, the Applicant will consult with MnDOT to locate the transmission line components in a manner to minimize conflicts with its existing right-of-way. Construction will require traffic on Hwy 10 and 7th Ave just south of Hwy 10 to be stopped for a short period of time (approximately five minutes) to allow the conductor 58