Appalachian Power outlines underground line near rail trail; supervisors ask for alternatives

Appalachian Power representatives presented a revised route for a double-circuit transmission line that would keep portions underground along the rail-trail tree line and include above-ground sections and splice boxes near the parking area.

An AEP representative explained the revised design in response to earlier community concerns about overhead lines affecting future development. The company said the underground section would follow the tree line with a reduced 20-foot right-of-way in some places, while the overhead approach would place double-circuit H-frame poles where required. The company’s design supervisor described protective conduit and a minimum burial depth of about 48 inches for underground cable and said the splice boxes would be roughly the size of the meeting podium.

Supervisors and residents questioned why the company had not routed the line on alternate parcels across the river, raised maintenance and serviceability concerns for steep grades, and asked whether use of county or EDA-owned parcels might avoid dividing key acreage. AEP said alternative routes were considered but that the chosen route was the most serviceable and maintainable for customers and emergency response.

A motion was made during the meeting to not approve the presentation as proposed; board members asked Appalachian Power to collect additional local feedback and return with alternative routing and design options. A company representative said they would take comments back and follow up.

The presentation included technical details about right-of-way widths, splice-box dimensions, minimum burial depth and the location of above-ground tie-ins; supervisors raised aesthetic and land-use concerns tied to the rail-trail and nearby EDA parcels and requested more detail on environmental protections and long-term maintenance access.