Design and Construction
The proposed project would be constructed by Tri-State and includes the following components:
- Approximately 30 miles of new double-circuit 230-kV transmission line from the existing Shiprock Substation to the new Kiffen Canyon Substation near City of Farmington's Glade Switching Station.
- Expansion of the existing Shiprock Substation to accommodate the new 230-kV line termination and installation of additional 345/230-kV transformation equipment.
- The new 230-kV Kiffen Canyon Substation at a location north of the City of Farmington's Glade Switching Station on property that will be acquired by Tri-State.
- Approximately 40 miles of new double- and single-circuit 230-kV transmission line between the proposed Kiffen Canyon Substation and Iron Horse Substation, near Ignacio.
- Expansion of Iron Horse Substation to have termination equipment for the 230-kV line and transformation equipment to step the 230-kV voltage down to 115-kV for interconnection to the area's existing transmission facilities.
- Proposed communication facilities to support operation and maintenance of the transmission lines.
Tri-State is proposing to use a combination of steel lattice structures, wood H-frame structures, and/or steel mono-poles. The choice of structure type would be based on voltage, number of circuits, location and design conditions (i.e. mountainous vs. flat terrain). The line would also use low corona hardware to minimize audible noise.
Construction would be completed in several phases: access development, staging of structures, foundation construction, framing and erecting the structures, stringing conductors, clean up and reclamation. Several work phases may be in progress simultaneously at different locations along the alignment. Construction of the transmission line is expected to last approximately 18 to 24 months.
Engineering and Electric Transmission Fact Sheet 
(4.4 MB)
Details on how the proposed transmission line will be constructed
Project Benefits
The proposed project would: