Upgrade of Existing Leakey to Utopia Transmission Line in Bandera and Real Counties

Construction began this month on upgrading the existing 18-mile Leakey to Utopia transmission line in Bandera and Real counties. The project is expected to be completed next summer.
 
“BEC is preparing to replace its existing 69-kV transmission facilities with 138-kV transmission facilities along the current route that runs from the Leakey substation to the Utopia substation,” Tyler Pansing, principal engineer, BEC, explained. “The project includes replacing 53-year-old wood structures with steel poles. Each steel pole will replace two wooden ones and will be aesthetically pleasing to blend in with the background.”
 
Pansing added that the upgrade will reduce BEC’s footprint in the area, create less visual clutter and put infrastructure in place for fiber broadband.
 
The existing transmission line was constructed by BEC in 1965. After 53 years, replacing the line will ensure reliability and will be able to accommodate growth to better serve members in the Leakey and Utopia areas.
 
The Leakey substation is located south of Leakey on Highway 83 and the Utopia substation is just north of Utopia at the intersection of Highway 470 and Highway 187.
Posted Monday, August 13, 2018