Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project

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Project Update

For the latest construction updates, please see the News Feed at the bottom of this page.

Update October 2025: OPPD is moving into the construction stage for the Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project. We’ve already been working on smaller distribution lines. In this next stage, crews will begin preparing the transmission corridor. Construction includes installing new foundations and high-voltage transmission lines, and timing will vary. You will continue to see OPPD and our contractors – Brink Constructors and Dietzel Enterprises – as work progresses. Safety is a priority. We kindly ask you to be aware of activities happening around the project route. Please do not enter active worksites and allow plenty of space for field personnel and equipment. Our newsfeed below will share construction updates as they occur.

Update August 2025: During the August Board of Directors Meeting, the Board awarded a contract to Brink Constructors Inc. in the amount of $26,690,523 to construct a 23-mile, 345-kV transmission line from Cass County Station to Turtle Creek Station and rebuild roughly 10 miles of aging 69kV infrastructure along the route with the new 345-kV line. Construction will begin in October.

Update Summer 2025: The Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission project is wrapping up the easement acquisition process in preparation for construction to begin on the high voltage line in October. As part of the pre-construction process, some construction crews in the area working on relocating or modifying distribution lines and continuing surveying efforts. Contractors working on this project include Central States, Nielsen, Burns & McDonnell and JEO.

Update early 2025: The Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project is in the easement negotiation phase. This spring, the team will begin land preparation in various areas including existing right-of-ways. This includes survey staking, clearing trees and brush with our partner Hughes Tree Service, and establishing construction access. Prior to the construction of the transmission lines, you may see construction crews in the area working on relocating or modifying distribution lines.

Public Hearings: Omaha Public Power District held two public hearings in November 2024 about the Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project, a new transmission line between the Turtle Creek Station near Springfield and the Cass County Station, northwest of Murray. The public was invited to attend either hearing and impacted landowners were notified directly.

The map above shows the general location of the transmission lines for this project. At the hearings, OPPD representatives explained the nature and necessity of the project, the reasons for selecting the route, the design of the lines, the easement acquisition process, and the anticipated construction schedule. Representatives from OPPD were available to answer questions and receive comments.

Final Route Announcement: OPPD accepted feedback on the reduced route alternatives through Oct. 19, 2023. The team reviewed all of the feedback and data received during this second phase of outreach. The final route was announced at the December 2023 Board of Directors All-Committee meeting. The project team will now begin detailed design work, which will determine final details including which side of the road and exact location of structures. We are committed to working with directly impacted landowners throughout the process to gather input and help us make design choices that address their properties.

All property owners along and adjacent to this final route will be contacted by OPPD to discuss attributes of their property and review the next steps of the process individually. If you have questions you may call 531-226-3062 to speak with a right-of-way agent.

Questions may still be submitted below or by calling our hotline at 531-226-3062 at any time throughout this process.

Where we've been: The project team would like to thank everyone who attended one of the second rounds of Open Houses on Oct. 4 and 5, 2023 to learn more about the remaining route alternatives, ask questions and provide additional feedback. Open houses were held in Sarpy and Cass counties, both with the same information.

Please know that all route alternatives will be forward tracking only. Detailed maps showing specific route alternatives in Cass and Sarpy counties can be seen here:

  • To see specific Cass County route alternative options click here
  • To see specific Sarpy County route alternative options click here

Two initial Open Houses were held in Springfield and Louisville on July 12 and 13, respectively. Attendees learned about the project, asked questions and provided feedback about the potential route options. Feedback on initial potential route options was accepted through July 31, 2023. The team reviewed all the feedback and data received during this initial phase of outreach.

About the Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project

OPPD is planning to build an approximately 23-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line between its Cass County Balancing Station off of Mill Road and the utility’s new Turtle Creek Balancing Station at 168th & Fairview Roads in Sarpy County. This is a portion of a 29-mile line between Cass County Station and 180th and Giles. However, a section of the line is already routed as part of the Sarpy Southwest Transmission Project. You can learn more about this project from this story in The Wire.

This transmission line is needed to ensure the electric system is more reliable and capable (resilient) of withstanding larger peak demands while accommodating growth in OPPD’s service territory. The line will support load growth and long-range planning of OPPD’s balanced portfolio of energy resources.

Project Study Area

The project study area is used to provide a general boundary of land to further evaluate before finalizing the transmission routes. The map (above) is reflective of two study areas – the larger box in Cass County, and the smaller box in Sarpy County.

Determining the paths for this transmission infrastructure will consider stakeholder feedback in each county, in addition to careful evaluation of environmental, engineering and community concerns.

Important considerations include: minimizing the number of private properties affected and maximizing the distance from homes, schools, parks, churches, and cemeteries. Click here to learn more about the routing and siting criteria. Stakeholder feedback is gathered through a six-step process which includes local leader meetings, open houses, hotline calls and received comments. The hotline is available for those interested in connecting by phone at 402-881-8280.

Routing and Siting Process

Phase 1: Identify Study area and Constraints and Open House

Data Collection & Agency Outreach Many factors are considered including inputs from both local leaders and stakeholders to help determine potential route alternatives.

Community Engagement In each county, OPPD held a local leader meeting for elected officials, followed by a public open house. The meeting's purpose was to inform the public of the project and collect input on the preliminary segments. There were two open houses, with one in each county for convenience. Both meetings had the same information and were held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on either day. No formal presentation was provided so the public was welcome to join at any time.

  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Springfield Community Center, 104 Main Street, Springfield
  • Thursday, July 13, 2023, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Louisville High School Gymnasium, 202 West 3rd Street, Louisville

Phase 2: Route Segment Analysis and Second Open House

Route Analysis and Data Review Examine information collected from community outreach and evaluate any concerns expressed by local leaders and key stakeholders to identify best route alternatives for the new transmission line.

Route Reduction A short list of potential routes was released after feedback from stakeholders and local leaders helped planners eliminate most route alternatives from further consideration.

Community Engagement In each county, OPPD held another local leader meeting for elected officials, followed by a public open house. The purpose of the second round of meetings was to present a short list of potential routes and gather final feedback before determining a final route. Both public open houses had the same information and were held from 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on either day. No formal presentation was provided so the public was welcome to join at any time.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Springfield Community Center, 104 Main Street, Springfield
  • Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., New Barn at Lilac Hill, 14704 156th Street, Louisville

Phase 3: Route Alternative Analysis

Final Route Analysis and Data Review Examine information collected from community outreach and evaluate any concerns expressed by local leaders and key stakeholders to identify the best route for the new transmission line.

Phase 4: Final Route Announcement

Route Selection The final route is announced, and communications begin with affected landowners to negotiate right of way for the new transmission line.

OPPD announced the route for the new transmission line in December 2023 with the new transmission line anticipated to be in service by December 2026.

Project Update

For the latest construction updates, please see the News Feed at the bottom of this page.

Update October 2025: OPPD is moving into the construction stage for the Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project. We’ve already been working on smaller distribution lines. In this next stage, crews will begin preparing the transmission corridor. Construction includes installing new foundations and high-voltage transmission lines, and timing will vary. You will continue to see OPPD and our contractors – Brink Constructors and Dietzel Enterprises – as work progresses. Safety is a priority. We kindly ask you to be aware of activities happening around the project route. Please do not enter active worksites and allow plenty of space for field personnel and equipment. Our newsfeed below will share construction updates as they occur.

Update August 2025: During the August Board of Directors Meeting, the Board awarded a contract to Brink Constructors Inc. in the amount of $26,690,523 to construct a 23-mile, 345-kV transmission line from Cass County Station to Turtle Creek Station and rebuild roughly 10 miles of aging 69kV infrastructure along the route with the new 345-kV line. Construction will begin in October.

Update Summer 2025: The Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission project is wrapping up the easement acquisition process in preparation for construction to begin on the high voltage line in October. As part of the pre-construction process, some construction crews in the area working on relocating or modifying distribution lines and continuing surveying efforts. Contractors working on this project include Central States, Nielsen, Burns & McDonnell and JEO.

Update early 2025: The Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project is in the easement negotiation phase. This spring, the team will begin land preparation in various areas including existing right-of-ways. This includes survey staking, clearing trees and brush with our partner Hughes Tree Service, and establishing construction access. Prior to the construction of the transmission lines, you may see construction crews in the area working on relocating or modifying distribution lines.

Public Hearings: Omaha Public Power District held two public hearings in November 2024 about the Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project, a new transmission line between the Turtle Creek Station near Springfield and the Cass County Station, northwest of Murray. The public was invited to attend either hearing and impacted landowners were notified directly.

The map above shows the general location of the transmission lines for this project. At the hearings, OPPD representatives explained the nature and necessity of the project, the reasons for selecting the route, the design of the lines, the easement acquisition process, and the anticipated construction schedule. Representatives from OPPD were available to answer questions and receive comments.

Final Route Announcement: OPPD accepted feedback on the reduced route alternatives through Oct. 19, 2023. The team reviewed all of the feedback and data received during this second phase of outreach. The final route was announced at the December 2023 Board of Directors All-Committee meeting. The project team will now begin detailed design work, which will determine final details including which side of the road and exact location of structures. We are committed to working with directly impacted landowners throughout the process to gather input and help us make design choices that address their properties.

All property owners along and adjacent to this final route will be contacted by OPPD to discuss attributes of their property and review the next steps of the process individually. If you have questions you may call 531-226-3062 to speak with a right-of-way agent.

Questions may still be submitted below or by calling our hotline at 531-226-3062 at any time throughout this process.

Where we've been: The project team would like to thank everyone who attended one of the second rounds of Open Houses on Oct. 4 and 5, 2023 to learn more about the remaining route alternatives, ask questions and provide additional feedback. Open houses were held in Sarpy and Cass counties, both with the same information.

Please know that all route alternatives will be forward tracking only. Detailed maps showing specific route alternatives in Cass and Sarpy counties can be seen here:

  • To see specific Cass County route alternative options click here
  • To see specific Sarpy County route alternative options click here

Two initial Open Houses were held in Springfield and Louisville on July 12 and 13, respectively. Attendees learned about the project, asked questions and provided feedback about the potential route options. Feedback on initial potential route options was accepted through July 31, 2023. The team reviewed all the feedback and data received during this initial phase of outreach.

About the Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project

OPPD is planning to build an approximately 23-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line between its Cass County Balancing Station off of Mill Road and the utility’s new Turtle Creek Balancing Station at 168th & Fairview Roads in Sarpy County. This is a portion of a 29-mile line between Cass County Station and 180th and Giles. However, a section of the line is already routed as part of the Sarpy Southwest Transmission Project. You can learn more about this project from this story in The Wire.

This transmission line is needed to ensure the electric system is more reliable and capable (resilient) of withstanding larger peak demands while accommodating growth in OPPD’s service territory. The line will support load growth and long-range planning of OPPD’s balanced portfolio of energy resources.

Project Study Area

The project study area is used to provide a general boundary of land to further evaluate before finalizing the transmission routes. The map (above) is reflective of two study areas – the larger box in Cass County, and the smaller box in Sarpy County.

Determining the paths for this transmission infrastructure will consider stakeholder feedback in each county, in addition to careful evaluation of environmental, engineering and community concerns.

Important considerations include: minimizing the number of private properties affected and maximizing the distance from homes, schools, parks, churches, and cemeteries. Click here to learn more about the routing and siting criteria. Stakeholder feedback is gathered through a six-step process which includes local leader meetings, open houses, hotline calls and received comments. The hotline is available for those interested in connecting by phone at 402-881-8280.

Routing and Siting Process

Phase 1: Identify Study area and Constraints and Open House

Data Collection & Agency Outreach Many factors are considered including inputs from both local leaders and stakeholders to help determine potential route alternatives.

Community Engagement In each county, OPPD held a local leader meeting for elected officials, followed by a public open house. The meeting's purpose was to inform the public of the project and collect input on the preliminary segments. There were two open houses, with one in each county for convenience. Both meetings had the same information and were held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on either day. No formal presentation was provided so the public was welcome to join at any time.

  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Springfield Community Center, 104 Main Street, Springfield
  • Thursday, July 13, 2023, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Louisville High School Gymnasium, 202 West 3rd Street, Louisville

Phase 2: Route Segment Analysis and Second Open House

Route Analysis and Data Review Examine information collected from community outreach and evaluate any concerns expressed by local leaders and key stakeholders to identify best route alternatives for the new transmission line.

Route Reduction A short list of potential routes was released after feedback from stakeholders and local leaders helped planners eliminate most route alternatives from further consideration.

Community Engagement In each county, OPPD held another local leader meeting for elected officials, followed by a public open house. The purpose of the second round of meetings was to present a short list of potential routes and gather final feedback before determining a final route. Both public open houses had the same information and were held from 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on either day. No formal presentation was provided so the public was welcome to join at any time.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Springfield Community Center, 104 Main Street, Springfield
  • Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., New Barn at Lilac Hill, 14704 156th Street, Louisville

Phase 3: Route Alternative Analysis

Final Route Analysis and Data Review Examine information collected from community outreach and evaluate any concerns expressed by local leaders and key stakeholders to identify the best route for the new transmission line.

Phase 4: Final Route Announcement

Route Selection The final route is announced, and communications begin with affected landowners to negotiate right of way for the new transmission line.

OPPD announced the route for the new transmission line in December 2023 with the new transmission line anticipated to be in service by December 2026.

  • Update Oct. 21, 2025

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    The MoPac Trail near Springfield, from Buffalo Road to Riha Road, will close on Wednesday, October 22, through Monday, November 3.

    OPPD is working with the Papio NRD to begin construction of a transmission line upgrade along the east edge of the MoPac Trail south of Springfield.

    Safety is a priority. Construction includes installing new foundations and high-voltage transmission lines. We ask the public not to enter active worksites, and to be aware of activities taking place around the project route.

    As work continues, the trail parking lot on the south side of Hwy 31 to the west of Hwy 50 will close on Tuesday, Nov. 4 for construction of a large transmission structure that will allow the transmission line to cross the Platte River.

    Updates will be provided as needed based on the progress of the work, which depends on weather and site conditions.

    If you have questions, please contact the Papio NRD at 402-444-6222 or the project information hotline at 402-881-8280.

  • Update October 2025

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    OPPD is moving into the construction stage for the Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Line Project. We’ve already been working on smaller distribution lines. In this next stage, crews will begin preparing the transmission corridor. Construction includes installing new foundations and high-voltage transmission lines. Due to the project's complexity, the timing of construction activities will vary. Right-of-way agents will work directly with directly impacted landowners on details for when crews will be on or near their property and what to expect during construction. You will continue to see OPPD and our contractors – Brink Constructors and Dietzel Enterprises – as work progresses.

    In preparation for construction, crews will begin preparing the transmission corridor, which includes removal of the old transmission structures and wires. They also will be surveying and staking for placement of new structures, trimming and clearing trees, preparing access for equipment and installing measures to prevent erosion. Additionally, construction crews are working actively in the area to relocate or modify existing distribution lines in preparation for construction of the new transmission lines.

    When installation of the new structures begin, you may see crews drilling and pouring foundations, hauling and erecting poles and stringing transmission wires. Our contractors may use cement trucks, drills, excavators, loaders and lifting equipment to install the foundations and poles. They will also use heavy equipment such as drill rigs, cranes, skid loaders of different sizes and other construction vehicles.

    Safety is a priority for OPPD. We kindly ask the community to be aware of activities happening along the route and on properties directly impacted. Please do not enter active worksites and allow plenty of space for equipment to maneuver so we can avoid damage. During harvest and planting seasons, landowners should be aware of and exercise caution when working around new pole structures. Allow plenty of space as you maneuver around equipment and structures so that you can avoid damage to OPPD structures and your own equipment.

    Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission Project contractor partner logos

  • Update Summer 2025

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    The Cass-to-Sarpy Transmission project is wrapping up the easement acquisition process in preparation for construction to begin on the high voltage line in October. As part of the pre-construction process, some construction crews in the area working on relocating or modifying distribution lines and continuing surveying efforts. Contractors working on this project include Central States, Nielsen, Burns & McDonnell and JEO.

  • March 2025 Update

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    The MoPac Trail near Springfield, from Buffalo Road to Riha Road, will temporarily close on Monday, March 10th. OPPD is working with the Papio NRD to prepare for construction to upgrade this transmission line along the east edge of the MoPac Trail south of Springfield.

    The first step will be clearing of brush and trees along the trail to prepare the site for construction. Tree crews will begin work in the middle of March and will be on site for a few weeks. Updates will be provided based on the status of work which will be determined by weather and site conditions.

    If you have questions, please contact the Papio NRD at 402-444-6222 or OPPD at 402-881-8280.

Page last updated: 23 Oct 2025, 09:45 AM