ITC Midwest Conducting Aerial Patrols of Transmission Lines Along Highway 30 Corridor
August 28, 2020 | ITC Midwest
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Aug. 26, 2020) – As part of its ongoing work to repair damage caused by the recent derecho, ITC Midwest will conduct aerial patrols of high-voltage electric transmission structures and lines from approximately August 26 – September 11, weather permitting. The aerial inspections will cover the company’s lines located approximately 20 miles on either side of the Highway 30 corridor stretching from Boone to Clinton.
The storm initially affected 1,215 miles of lines at 69 kV and above, or nearly 20 percent of the entire ITC Midwest electric transmission system. On August 18 – just eight days after the massive storm hit – utility crews safely restored the last of the transmission lines and circuits needed to provide service to ITC Midwest distribution utility customers.
These patrols will complement the initial assessments done immediately following the derecho and align with the company’s model for operational excellence. The helicopter patrols will allow ITC Midwest to identify any remaining vegetation hazards caused by the storm and assess the overall status of the company’s electric transmission system. If any further problems caused by the storm are discovered, ITC Midwest will take the necessary maintenance measures to ensure continued reliability and resilience of the transmission system.
The inspection flights are often conducted at low altitudes to allow accurate visual inspection of equipment for vegetation hazards or other potential problems. This is normal procedure, so there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near transmission lines during the time frame listed above.
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About ITC Midwest
ITC Midwest LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. ITC Midwest operates nearly 6,700 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri, and holds utility status in Wisconsin. ITC Midwest is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and maintains regional operating facilities in Dubuque, Iowa City and Perry, Iowa; and Albert Lea and Lakefield, Minnesota. For further information visit WWW.ITC-HOLDINGS.COM. ITC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit WWW.FORTISINC.COM.
Media Contact: Rod Pritchard (319-350-9255, RPRITCHARD@ITCTRANSCO.COM)