Beginning in early-mid January of 2026, OPPD is moving forward with its primary transmission line construction activities for Segment 1 of the OPPD North Douglas County Transmission Project. This includes the State Street portion between 114th and 140th streets.

We have already been working on tree and brush removal and relocating smaller distribution lines. In this next stage, crews will begin preparing the transmission corridor. The upcoming construction activities will include installing new foundations and high-voltage transmission lines. Due to the project’s complexity, the timing of the construction activities will vary.

Right-of-way agents will work with directly impacted landowners to notify them 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.

Crews will begin preparing the transmission corridor, which includes the removal of the old transmission structures and wires. They will also survey and stake the placement of new structures, trim and clear trees, prepare access for equipment, and install measures to prevent erosion. Construction crews have already been working in the area to relocate existing distribution lines in preparation for the construction of new transmission lines.

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

We anticipate that the transmission line construction phase will take several months. Safety is a priority for OPPD. We kindly ask landowners to be aware of activities happening on and around their property. 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.

Specific questions about easements and property access during construction can be directed to your right-of-way agent, or the OPPD Real Property and Land Management team via hotline at (531) 226-3062 or email at landmanagement@oppd.com.

OPPD will soon begin clearing trees and brush from the transmission easement areas of segments 2 and 3. Since the next segments of this project are longer than eight miles, we are addressing the tree and brush clearing work in multiple phases, and we plan to begin clearing trees and brush beginning early next year.

Preliminary onsite vegetation reviews by our contractor, Hughes Tree Service, and OPPD’s contracted surveyors are beginning now and will precede tree and brush removal work throughout the next phases of the project. They may require access to properties that are directly impacted.

Due to the project’s complexity, the timing of the tree-clearing activities will vary but should start early January 2026 and be completed during the next five months. For properties with access challenges, right-of-way agents will reach out to property owners directly with more detailed dates and times when crews will be on or near their property and help work with them to determine the best access option.

Once the easement areas are clear of trees and brush, OPPD will move toward the Construction Phase later in 2026 and will stay in touch with directly impacted landowners, providing more information as we get closer to the start of construction.

Safety is a priority for OPPD. We kindly ask landowners to be aware of activities happening on and around your property. Please do not enter active worksites and allow plenty of space for equipment to maneuver so we can avoid damage. Allow plenty of space as you maneuver around equipment and structures so that you can avoid damage to OPPD structures and your own equipment.

Specific questions about easements and property access during tree clearing can be directed to OPPD's right-of-way agent, or the OPPD Real Property and Land Management team via hotline at (531) 226-3062 or email at landmanagement@oppd.com.

Beginning the week of Nov. 3, OPPD will be clearing trees and shrubs from the existing transmission corridor located at Lake Cunningham, southeast of the marina. This is part of a broader transmission system upgrade that OPPD is making to ensure reliability and meet the growing energy demand.

To maintain safety during the work, park visitors will not be able to access a segment of a trail located near the marina or access the back nine holes of the Lighthouse Disc Golf Course. These areas will remain closed for about three to four weeks.

The vegetation removal at Lake Cunningham will be completed by OPPD’s contractor, Hughes Tree Service. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as OPPD works to ensure safety and reliability for the broader electrical grid.

OPPD and our contractor, Hughes Tree Service, has begun clearing trees and brush from below or near the planned transmission lines (often called the clear zone) along Segment one. We anticipate that the tree-clearing process will take a few weeks. Once the clear zone is free of trees and brush, OPPD will move toward the construction phase.

Safety is a priority for OPPD. We kindly ask the public to be aware of activities happening in relation to these efforts. Please do not enter active worksites and allow plenty of space for equipment to maneuver so we can avoid damage. Landowners should be aware of and exercise caution when working around new pole structures. Allow plenty of space to maneuver around equipment and structures so that you can avoid damage to OPPD structures and personal equipment.