I&M to improve electric transmission network in southwest Michigan with rebuild of eight miles of lines

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) announced the new FourFlag Transmission Line Project last week, which will involve rebuilding eight miles of electric transmission or high-voltage lines in Michigan’s Berrien and Cass Counties.

“The estimated $19 million investment into southwest Michigan will help ensure the safe and reliable delivery of electrical service to customers who call Berrien and Cass counties home,” Mona Livingston, I&M community affairs manager, said. “The upgrades will help I&M respond in the event of a power outage and reduce the likelihood of extended outages for customers, including during severe weather events.”

The project will be divided into two parts: a five-mile reconstruction of 69 kV power lines between Pokagon Substation and Lake Street Substation, and another three miles of power line rebuilding from the Lake Street Substation to FourFlag Substation, all in and around the Niles, Michigan area. In all cases, workers will endeavor to swap out existing power lines and wooden poles that have been in operation since the 1950s.

I&M added that these efforts should improve operational performance, reduce the maintenance frequency required and improve the local electric transmission network overall. Construction to achieve this should begin in fall 2023, and the company aims to conclude work in spring 2025.