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NIPSCO to add circuit across Pulaski County; drainage board hears construction plans and monitoring commitments
Summary
A NIPSCO reconductor project that will add a circuit to an existing transmission line through Pulaski County will require construction access across regulated drainage easements; NIPSCO representatives told the Pulaski County Drainage Board they expect work in the county in late 2026 and an in-service date in 2027 and that restoration and environmental inspections are planned.
Michael, a project presenter, told the Pulaski County Drainage Board on Jan. 20 that NIPSCO plans to add an additional circuit to an existing transmission line that runs through the county. "Nipsco is is adding an additional circuit to their transmission line," he said, adding that crews will use the existing support structures and will not install new monopole foundations.
The presenter said most disturbance will come from construction access across regulated drainage easements. "There's a lot of timber matting," he said, describing temporary timber bridges and underlayment that would allow line trucks to cross ditches. He added that after construction contractors will remove those controls and restore conditions to preconstruction status.
The project schedule is not yet finalized, but the presenter estimated county work in the third or fourth quarter of 2026 and an in-service date in 2027. He said local work in a given area could last roughly 90 days. "I think it'll probably be quarter three or four of this year," he said.
On environmental controls, the presenter said the construction stormwater permit includes weekly environmental inspections and requires pre- and post-construction photos. "Those will be the individuals who are taking, like, preconstruction photos and really looking things over preconstruction and then also making sure that the restoration is up to snuff," he said.
Board members asked about access, traffic, school bus routing and methods for stringing conductor. The presenter said crews plan to string conductor from existing davit arms and that helicopter installation is a possibility but undecided. He committed to keep the board informed of scheduling and preconstruction meetings and to provide meeting documentation to the board once available.
The board did not take a formal vote on the NIPSCO presentation; the project was presented for information and scheduling coordination. The drainage board asked staff to share permit and scheduling details when they are available and to notify the board before construction begins in affected ditches.
