Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) will begin work on relocating power lines on Howelsen Hill starting in late July or early August.
The project will remove two existing overhead power lines in the existing Howelsen landside area and relocate one new line to a less visible location. Instead of two sets of poles, both lines can be accommodate on one set of poles. The installed line will also provide new power service to the top of Howelsen Hill, which will allow the city to expand services for snowmaking or chairlift operations, if desired.
These lines provide service to the communications towers on top of Emerald Mountain and Howelsen Hill as well as service to the Brooklyn and Mt Werner Substations, which provide the majority of power delivery to the city and associate areas.
The project is anticipated to begin later this month or at the beginning of August and will focus first on clearing the right-of-way area. As work moves into August, watch for design finalization and staking pole locations. September sees the arrival of materials and the start of construction. During October and November, construction continues and the old line is retired.
Construction during the project will use the existing Blackmere Drive on Emerald Mountain for access to the top of Howelsen Hill and existing roads and access points on Howelsen Hill for construction on the lower portions of the hill. All disturbed areas will be revegetated by YVEA to 75% coverage within one year and 100% coverage within three years.
YVEA will coordinate with the City of Steamboat Springs Parks & Recreation on required closures and detours during the project. City staff is working to minimize the impact on trails and events and will post notices should closure be necessary.
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Contact:
Craig Robinson, Interim Parks & Recreation Director, 970.871.7034 or email