Duke Energy will soon kick-off a series of virtual and in-person information sessions for Noblesville and Westfield residents regarding the construction of two new transmission lines and one new substation near the intersection of State Road 32 and Moontown Road/North Gray Road between Noblesville and Westfield.
Click here to read a three-page fact sheet on the project, or find some more information below.
Project background
According to the latest U.S. Census, Hamilton County is the fastest-growing county in the state. This rapid growth is expected to continue and is demanding more of Duke Energy’s local electric transmission system.
The backbone of this area’s electric system is a 230-kilovolt (kV) line that runs north to south, parallel to Moontown Road/North Gray Road. This high-voltage power line is feeding the local 69-kV transmission grid, which powers area distribution substations that bring electricity to homes and businesses.
Graphic provided by Duke Energy
Project overview
A new substation and two new 69-kV electric transmission lines will be built to help meet the growing demand for electricity in the Noblesville and Westfield areas and to help maintain the reliability and resiliency of local power lines and infrastructure.
The new substation will be built near the intersection of State Road 32 and Moontown Road/North Gray Road on land that Duke Energy purchased in 2019. Two new power lines will originate from this new substation and connect to an existing 69-kV transmission line to the south and a substation – Westfield Northeast – to the north. The new northern line will be approximately three miles long and the new southern line will be approximately two miles long, depending on the final routes selected.
Construction is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in 2024. Open house meetings will be held in June with a public comment period in July. Over the summer of 2022 the preferred route will be announced.
Preconstruction including surveying and vegetation management is expected to begin in 2023-2024. This will be followed by substation and transmission line construction. In 2025 restoration activities will include removing equipment and restoring the impacted area as closely as possible to its original condition.
A number of route segments are currently being considered for the northern and southern transmission lines. All of the route segments are available for viewing by using the “Interactive Map” feature.
- Click here to view the interactive northern map
- Click here to view the interactive southern map
The final routes selected will be a combination of these numbered segments but will not include all of them. The route selection is based on multiple factors, including public input, land use, land cover, occupied buildings, safety, reliability, cost, and cultural, natural, visual and water resources. The preferred routes for the northern and southern transmission lines are expected to be announced in late summer 2022.
Duke Energy asks you to look at the potential route corridors under consideration for the two new transmission lines and leave your public comments. Duke Energy encourages feedback from the community and intends to evaluate all input received during this public comment period as part of the route selection process.
Duke Energy has prepared a sheet of frequently asked questions and answers. Click here see the document.
Join an information session
Hear details about the Noblesville-Westfield Reliability Projects from the transmission project team and ask your questions.
Virtual meetings:
Tuesday, June 7 at 6 p.m. (Southern Line)
Tuesday, June 7 at 7:15 p.m. (Northern Line)
Thursday, June 9 at 6 p.m. (Southern Line)
Thursday, June 9 at 7:15 p.m. (Northern Line)
In-person meeting
For your convenience, in addition to the virtual meetings, Duke Energy will hold an in-person meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21 at Grand Park Sports Campus, 19000 Grand Park Blvd., Westfield. Registration for the in-person meeting is not required.