Questions & Answers
North Arlington Transmission Project		 Printer Version Print-Friendly Version

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Why does Arlington need these new lines?
Since 2000, the population in Arlington County has grown by 8%. In that same time period, demand for energy in the area has grown by 20%. As the demand for electricity has steadily grown, it has become necessary for Dominion to add to our network for transporting power to the area and delivering that energy to local homes and businesses. The new transmission lines and substation upgrades will increase reliability (meaning fewer power outages and shorter durations) and provide the necessary capacity to support future growth in this area. Specifically, the addition of the proposed 230 kV and 69 kV lines will allow these substations to be networked (interconnected) into the electrical transmission system, or grid. Should service to a station be interrupted from one direction, service will be available from another direction. Rebuilding the substation at 3245 Wilson Blvd. places reliable power in the center of the expanding electrical load.

Will Dominion require right-of-way from private owners for the construction of these facilities?
No.  We will install the new lines underneath public roads. Construction will take place along N. Monroe Street, Fairfax Drive, Kirkwood Road, Lee Highway, Fort Myer, and a very short distance on 19th Street in Rosslyn. Dominion already owns and has operated a substation at Wilson Blvd and Fairfax Dr.

What will be involved in the construction of the underground lines?
Dominion is working with a contractor who is an expert in underground line construction. A section of the road, approximately one block long, will be closed each day. One or more lanes will be impacted as a trench approximately 5 feet wide is dug. Pipes will be placed in the trench and spacers added to assure proper clearances. Each day, workers will complete that section and restore the pavement before moving on to the next section of road.
(>> View photos of this process.)

Thermal concrete slurry will be used as backfill to create the ductbank to protect the lines and provide the thermal qualities required. Additional fill will be added if required, and the pavement restored. After the pipes are installed, the solid dielectric cables will be pulled into place. At several locations, manholes will be required where the cable will be spliced.  After the cable is pulled, you will notice a trailer sitting several weeks over each of these locations. That trailer is regulating temperature and humidity while the cables are being spliced.

How long will construction last?
We anticipate that it will take approximately 10 months to complete the construction. Phase 1 of the project will include construction along N. Monroe Street, Fairfax Drive, and a portion of Kirkwood Road. Phase 1 will also include rebuilding the Wilson Boulevard substation. Phase 1 is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. Phase 2 will pick up the remainder of Kirkwood Road and the project will follow along Lee Highway into Rosslyn along Fort Myer Drive. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of November, 2008. Block by block progress updates will be available here.

This will impact traffic. How does Dominion plan to mitigate those impacts?
Maintaining public safety is the most important objective during any construction project. Installation of the underground lines will require lane closures of about one block at a time. Fortunately, most of the streets in which we are proposing to install the lines are at least four lanes wide. We will work with the County of Arlington and the Virginia Department of Transportation to create traffic control plans. Construction will be limited to certain times during the day to reduce traffic congestion. In nonresidential areas, it may be possible to work at night to avoid traffic. Proper flagging and signage will be used to minimize delays and make it as easy as possible for you to get where you’re going.

Construction always creates temporary impacts, and Dominion’s goal is to reduce those impacts wherever possible.

What about noise?
Construction will involve a certain amount of noise. Asphalt will be cut, construction equipment will be used to dig, dump trucks will be removing material from the site, concrete trucks will deliver the thermal backfill, and asphalt will be delivered, laid down and rolled. In residential areas, the work hours will be limited to day hours between morning and afternoon traffic rush hours so people returning home in the afternoon from work should not be affected. We anticipate that we can complete at least 100 feet of installation work and pavement restoration in one day. Dominion anticipates that the construction impacts will be of short duration as the construction area moves down the street.

What about power outages?
No planned outages (electric service interruptions) are involved in this project.

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