Puget Sound Energy and a project stakeholder advisory group have identified three route alternatives for the Sammamish-Juanita 115 kilovolt transmission line project.
The utility plans to construct approximately four miles of 115 kV transmission line from the Sammamish Substation in Redmond to or near the Juanita Substation in Kirkland. The project is designed to increase dependability of the existing electric system serving the northern Redmond-Kirkland area.
The first route alternative would run from the Sammamish Substation, north along East 93rd St., west along N.E. 95th St., and north along 124th Ave. N.E. in Kirkland. The line would then run west through the Firloch neighborhood on N.E. 116th St, north on N.E. 118th St. and end west along N.E. 123rd Lane in Kirkland.
For alternative two, the line would run from the Sammamish Substation and north along 134th Ave. N.E., past Mark Twain Park in Kirkland, north along 116th Ave. N.E. and end at the Juanita Substation.
Alternative three would also run from the Sammamish Substation, north along Willows Road N.E. and finally north along 116th Ave. N.E. in Kirkland to the Juanita Substation.
A computer routing model was used to develop routes for discussion. The model considers avoidance areas, such as single family residential areas and steep slopes, as well as opportunity areas, such as PSE-owned rights of way, to develop an output route for discussion.
Working through two meetings, the advisory group reviewed 30 model outputs and narrowed the field to three alternatives for further consideration. The advisory group recommended PSE staff explore some modifications to Alternative 1 to avoid a school and to use commercial areas.
PSE will study the three route alternatives and recommended modifications for feasibility. The routes will be presented to the public during two community meetings, tentatively scheduled for April.
PSE and the community group will make a final routing decision by this summer.
The company plans to begin construction on the approximately $5-$6 million project in the summer of 2013.
For more information about the project, visit www.PSE.com/SammJuan115.
