Apex-Phoenix Transmission Line Project

A growing technology sector, excellent schools, and rich cultural and recreational opportunities make Ann Arbor a desirable place to live and work. This makes high-quality, reliable power increasingly important as homes and businesses are filled with sensitive electronics that can be affected by costly and inconvenient power outages.

To support electric reliability and increase capacity in the Ann Arbor area, ITC Michigan, through its ITCTransmission subsidiary, constructed approximately three miles of underground transmission line to connect a new DTE Energy substation named Apex, located near the intersection of Huron Parkway and Hubbard Road, to an existing substation named Phoenix, located just north of Dhu Varren Road.

The Apex - Phoenix project is an example of ITC’s ongoing commitment to the operational efficiency and reliability of Michigan’s high-voltage transmission grid. The company has invested more than $4.7 billion in capital project maintenance and transmission infrastructure improvements in Michigan since 2003. These investments are improving the reliability and safety of the transmission infrastructure while ensuring its ability to meet new energy demands.

ApexPhoenix_Project Map

Project Approach
ITC’s approach to transmission line development takes into consideration the unique nature of every project. Projects are assessed individually for safety, reliability, cost-effectiveness, environmental impacts and community impacts to determine the best transmission solution for each project.

Public Participation
ITC recognizes the critical role that local residents, landowners and communities play in reviewing and hosting new electric transmission lines. ITC is committed to open, honest and frequent communications with landowners. We work respectfully with landowners throughout the design and construction process to identify possible routes for the project that minimize impacts to their properties.

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PROJECT PROFILE
 

  • Why is this project necessary?
    As in much of the United States, the electric infrastructure serving the Ann Arbor area was constructed decades ago and was not built to support modern-day demands. This can lead to inconvenient, and sometimes costly, power outages. The electric system improvements will enhance the reliability of electric service to Ann Arbor residents and businesses, and create additional capacity to support growth throughout the region.
  • Where will the project be located?
    The Apex-Phoenix transmission line will extend from the existing Phoenix substation located north of Dhu Varren Road to the new Apex substation near Huron Parkway and Hubbard Road.
  • When will this project start, and how long will it take?
    Construction was conducted in two phases:
    • Phase 1: From Dec. 4, 2017 – Jan. 6, 2018, ITC constructed approx. 1,100 feet of underground duct bank, which holds the transmission cables, along the southwest portion of the Dhu Varren – Nixon roundabout.
    • Phase 2 & 3: From April 2018 – June 2019, ITC constructed approximately 2.5 miles of the underground duct bank and manhole system along Dhu Varren, Nixon and Huron Pkwy. The duct bank was constructed eastward along Dhu Varren, southward along Nixon, then northward along Huron Pkwy.

 
 
 

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