Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) will take advantage of a limited window to switch the transmission line which runs from the Brooklyn Substation to the top of Howelsen Hill over the first half of August.
“We’re working closely with YVEA to ensure they can complete this important project while attempting to minimize impacts for trail users and events,” said Craig Robinson, Parks, Open Space & Trails Manager. “In Steamboat, we all realize that sometimes a project window doesn’t offer much flexibility and this is one of those times.”
This year has been a difficult season in the electric construction activities with the heavy spring snow, late snow melt as well as other outages across the country pulling resources away to restore power to many areas. Due to the lack of resources nationwide, the crews for this project are only available during this time frame.
Over the coming week, August 5-9, YVEA will mobilize crews and equipment around the Brooklyn Substation and work will focus on hanging wire rollers and the bull rope. Trucks will be accessing every structure during this phase. Once the bull rope is in place, the conductor will be pulled and terminated at the top of Howelsen and at the Brooklyn Substation.
This portion will require trail closures around the top of Howelsen and in the middle of NPR for staging materials and equipment. In addition, Emerald Meadows from the middle of NPR to Howelsen Meadows, Howelsen Meadows from Ricky’s Ridge to Lupine, Lower Lupine from Howelsen Meadows to Bluffs Loop and Bluffs Loop under the transmission line will see temporary closures.
The following week, August 12-18, work will finish in the Brooklyn to Howelsen corridor if required and then commence from the top of Howelsen Hill to the west. Heavy Equipment and large trucks will be using Blackmer Trail to reach the site and trail users should expect to encounter rolling closure and traffic control personnel. Again, closures will occur in the staging areas around the top of Howelsen and middle of NPR, along with temporary closures of Blackmer, T-Bar and Orton Trails.
After this bulk of work is completed, smaller stringing crews be on site hanging the conductor line, demolishing old transmission facilities and revegetating and cleaning up the site.
YVEA understands the importance of the August 10-11 weekend with the Steamboat Stinger race. No work will take place at that time and crews will ensure that the trails system is in acceptable condition for this activity and will make every attempt to minimize disruption prior to the races for training and preparation of the race.
-WeServeTheCity-
Contacts
Craig Robinson, Parks, Open Space and Trails Manager, 970.871.7034 or email
Jenny Carey, Open Space & Trails Supervisor, 970.871.7014 or email