Great River Energy updates Benton County on Northland Reliability transmission work, easement outreach
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Summary
Great River Energy told the county board construction on the first phase of the Northland Reliability transmission project has started, easement outreach in Benton County reached 85% participation in an option-for-easement phase, and 60% design milestones will trigger easement exhibits, permitting and preconstruction activity that may include clearing and lane closures.
Representatives of Great River Energy provided a status update on the Northland Reliability project, a roughly 180-mile transmission-line program that begins near Becker and proceeds north toward Grand Rapids and the Cuyuna Series Compensation Station.
Matt Hageland, supervising manager in Great River Energy's land rights department, said construction for phase 1 has started in Sherburne County and has reached the southern part of Benton County. He described three construction phases: phase 1 (underway; 2025'27 estimated), phase 2 (Benton County substation north to Brainerd/Riverton; design work advancing into 60% design in 2026 with preconstruction and easement activities starting in early summer) and phase 3 (north from Riverton to Grand Rapids).
Hageland said land acquisition and an "option for easement" outreach program has been successful in Benton County: 85% of landowners participated in that voluntary phase. He added the 60% design milestone will enable easement exhibits to be prepared, which in turn leads to formal easement documents and acquisition. Project staff described expected preconstruction work: staking structure locations, soil borings (already under way and largely complete), formation of mat roads, temporary approaches, clearing vegetation within a 150-foot easement, and localized lane closures with flaggers when county or township roads are used.
Cody Dirks, project manager for land rights acquisition, said his team is meeting with townships and county staff, reviewing road-use agreements and gathering quotes, and will coordinate permitting and communications. Commissioners asked about advance notice for road closures; Hageland said the project will coordinate permitting and post notices and that project updates and an interactive map are posted on the project website. He encouraged interested residents to sign up for email updates and to contact the project's land agents with specific questions.
The board did not take formal action on the project at the meeting. Commissioners requested continued communication with county staff and that project representatives alert the county when road impacts or construction windows are scheduled.