2019-026 Transmission Pole Replacement Near Collins StreetDate: February 15, 2019 Report No. 2019-026
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
In response to Council Member Armintor’s recent question, this report provides information on
the replacement of aging 1960s transmission poles near Collins Street and Fort Worth Drive and
transmission line easement widths in close proximity to adjacent properties.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
An enhanced steel pole design and conductor configuration allows the placement of transmission
line conductors over the street, allowing for a reduced easement requirement on the property side
of transmission poles. This configuration will be utilized through the UNT campus (benefit is an
estimated reduction of approximately two-dozen poles). Additional transmission easements will
need to be acquired by the City along the route; however no houses, apartments, or businesses will
be demolished in that process.
BACKGROUND:
The transmission line poles identified at Collins Street and Fort Worth Drive are a portion of the
69kV to 138kV conversion capital improvement project that is being rebuilt to maintain the
reliability, safety, and structural integrity of the electric transmission system.
A 75-foot wide transmission easement is the typical width required that provides the National
Electrical Safety Code (NESC) clearances needed for 138kV transmission conversion projects. In
the case of the line near Collins and Fort Worth Drive, one-half of the 75-foot width or 37.5 feet
covers and protects the property side of the centerline of the electric transmission pole-line. When
feasible, in established areas of town, and when system electrical capacities allow, DME is able to
utilize a transmission line pole structure with an enhanced conductor configuration that places all
of the new transmission conductors out over the street. This configuration reduces the property
side easement clearance down from 37.5 feet to 24.5 feet. This is the same pole design criteria
that will be used throughout the UNT campus. It is also the same design considerations utilized
during previously acquired transmission easements along Stella Street for system connectivity
from the Locust Substation over to the Hickory Substation on Bonnie Brae Street.
Due to the City’s close coordination with UNT to rebuild the overhead transmission line portion
through the campus, the plan is to utilize the same new steel pole configuration that places the
transmission line conductors out over the street with longer spans. This will allow the existing
number of transmission poles to be reduced. Since the final design has not been completed, an
exact number of poles required is presently unknown; however, the reduction in transmission poles
may approach two dozen or less poles needed.
The remaining transmission line easements to be acquired (to loop back up and complete the 69kv
to 138kV conversion in Denton to resolve identified system deficiencies found in the NERC
Compliance required FERC 715 studies) are along the north side of Collins street, to the east side
of Bernard street, through the Eagle Substation property, and through the campus along the north
Date: February 15, 2019 Report No. 2019-026
side of Maple street, around the Super Pit, and up the east side of North Texas Blvd. to connect
and tie back into the already acquired easements along the south side of Stella Street. DME
continues working with the City of Denton Real Estate and Legal Departments to complete these
outstanding easement acquisitions.
Due to the planned construction on Bonnie Brae north of the Hickory substation up to Scripture
Street, there may be an easement adjustment needed for the transmission line presently located
along the west side of Bonnie Brae Street across three commercial properties by the hospital
medical complex. DME continues to work closely with Capital Projects on the final location and
status of the Bonnie Brae roadway design, which impacts several spans of the existing transmission
line.
It is important to note that none of the remaining transmission line easement and site acquisitions
will require any building demolition with the exception of the proposed Eagle Substation site. Staff
is preparing a work session presentation to further discuss the proposed Eagle Substation site,
which is tentatively planned for March 26.
CONCLUSION:
The 69kV to 138kV transmission line conversion will not adversely impact adjacent properties
along its planned route.
STAFF CONTACT:
George Morrow, Denton Municipal Electric General Manager