Allegheny Power –
Albright-Bethelboro Transmission Line Upgrade
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Preston County, West Virginia

Tackling the sheer length of large-scale linear projects – whether overhead utility lines or underground gas pipelines – is a unique challenge. WHM Consulting, Inc. (WHM) and Blazosky Associates, Inc. (BAI) have been very successful in providing permitting and environmental consulting services for these types of projects.

When Allegheny Power needed to rehabilitate a long 32+ mile stretch of transmission line spanning from Pennsylvania into West Virginia and involving numerous regulatory agencies, they contracted with the WHM/BAI Team. In all, the project included the removal and replacement of 73 wire support towers, access roads for each tower to the nearest public road, and nearly 400 total project acres. Receiving streams of the project area include 5 High Quality Cold Water Fishery streams, creating additional challenges.

An initial site visit occurred throughout all areas to be impacted as a result of this project. This was to characterize the site conditions for existing infrastructure (i.e. roads, culverts, etc…), wetlands and other environmentally sensitive features that may be impacted as a result of this project.

The extensive mapping required for this linear project area was achieved in various manners utilizing our AutoCAD and ArcGIS mapping capabilities. In Pennsylvania, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) topography is available for the project area, while other site features were obtained from USGS sources and color orthophotos. In West Virginia, mapping was compiled from USGS quadrangles, orthophotos, and U.S. census Bureau Tiger Line data. Field investigation data were added which included site notes and GPS surveyed information. Key maps on the drawings depicted the organization of numerous plan sheets to facilitate overall understanding of the project site for reviewers.

Due to the large size and overall scope of the project, numerous engineering, reporting and permitting efforts were required, including:

• PA NPDES Individual Permit for Stormwater

• WV NPDES General Permit for Construction Stormwater Activity
• PA General Permit for Minor Road Crossings
• PA General Permit for Utility Line Stream - Crossings
• Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory Review
• Cultural Resource Notice
• Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plans
• Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plans
• Wetland Delineation Report
• Riparian Buffer Waiver Request

In order to keep to its planning and construction schedule, Allegheny Power desired quick turnaround on permit preparation and agency review. WHM/BAI was able to complete the application for each state within the schedules defined by Allegheny. West Virginia permits were obtained within one month of submission. Pennsylvania permit applications were recently submitted and are under review. These are anticipated to be obtained in time for Allegheny’s planned construction schedule.