TRAILS -- Portions of Spokane's South Hill bluff trails will be temporarily closed this summer and fall during two Avista projects related to rebuilding the 70-year-old transmission line that runs through 2.75 miles of the city-owned parkland between Hangman Creek and High Drive.

Hazardous trees along the power line corridor will be removed July 24-26.

Reconstruction of the transmission line is scheduled to start in September and run through November. The project involves replacing cedar poles with steel and upgrading the line from 78- to 350-megawatt maximum capacity.

An open house meeting to provide details on the projects is set for 6 p.m.-7 p.m. on Monday, July 17, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 5720 S. Perry St.

Meanwhile, the reconstruction of the illegal road bulldozed in April through the South Hill bluff parkland was completed in June. Volunteers from the Friends of the Bluff, Avista and the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department are watering hundreds of plants to help get them through the summer. 

Avista staff monitors the restored area weekly and will replace the trees and shrubs that do not survive this fall, the company said in a project update. Avista, Spokane Parks and First Tee have taken joint responsibility for allowing the road to be built without proper permits and authorization. The road would have serviced building the proposed First Tee par-three golf course near Qualchan golf course as well as work on the transmission line.

Following are more details from Avista on the two upcoming projects:

HAZARD TREE REMOVAL Q & A

Work Overview: To ensure safety and reliability for customers and the public, some trees along a portion of Avista’s Metro-Sunset transmission line north of the Sunset substation, located off U.S. Highway 195, have been identified as hazardous and are scheduled for removal July 24-26, 2017. The dead, decayed and structurally defective trees pose a threat of coming into contact with electric transmission and distribution power lines, potentially causing a power outage and creating a wildfire risk.

Where are the hazard trees located?

• The trees are located along a section of Avista’s Metro-Sunset transmission and distribution lines on the lower South Hill bluff north of the Sunset substation. The substation is located off U.S. Highway 195.
• Hazard trees near the intersection of 17^th and 18^th avenues and 29^th Ave. have also been identified for removal.
• The risk trees are outside of the transmission easement, but the height of the trees puts them within reach of falling into the power lines.

Why are the trees being removed?

• The trees are dead, dying and structurally defective, posing a threat of coming into contact with power lines and creating a safety risk.
• The removal of the hazard trees will also help reduce the potential wildfire risk from a tree coming into contact with the power lines.

How were the trees identified?

• Avista’s system forester and the City of Spokane forester have jointly identified the hazard trees for removal.
• Each hazard tree identified for removal is marked with a blue X on the base. Some are marked WL which indicates the tree will be topped to create a snag for wildlife.
• The hazard trees identified for removal are on property owned by Avista, the City of Spokane, and private landowners.
• Private landowners have been contacted about the hazard tree removal.

What are the environmental impacts of the removing the hazard trees?

• Following standard transmission vegetation practices, the trunks, tree tops and limbs will remain on the ground, however, no portion of the tree will be left across or on a trail.
• The trunks and topped trees will create habitat for wildlife and create a micro-site for vegetation growth.

• The felled trees and trunks will be scored to stop pine beetle infestation. The removal of the hazard trees will also help reduce the potential wildfire risk from a tree coming into contact with the power lines.

Can I use the trails when the work is taking place?

• Ensuring the safety of trail users is very important. That’s why the trails in the work area will be temporarily closed July 24-26 when the work will be taking place.
• Signs will be posted on trails near the work area to alert users to the temporary closure.
• For safety sake, trail users are encouraged to stay out of the work area.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER TRANSMISSION LINE REBUILD Q & A

Project Profile
Avista is rebuilding 2.75 miles of transmission line along the lower South Hill bluff that serves portions of the South Hill and Spokane Valley and supports downtown Spokane. This is the second year of a two-year project that will improve service reliability and safety, meet the growing energy needs of our customers and reduce energy loss.

The rebuild of this portion of the transmission line includes:

• reducing the number of structures and poles by replacing 1940s-era wooden poles, which are past their expected life, with 15-30 foot taller wood-equivalent steel poles, and
• installing more efficient power lines and equipment.

The 2017 work is expected to begin in September and be completed in November 2017.

Where will the 2017 work be occurring?

• The work begins near 57^th and Hatch and continues northerly along the South Hill bluff across the Qualchan Golf Course driving range to Avista’s Sunset substation located on the east side of Hangman Creek.
• Minimal power outages are expected to occur during the work. Customers impacted by a temporary power outage will be notified in advance.

When will the project begin?

• The work is expected to start in September and be completed by the end of November 2017.

What impact will there be to this portion of the South Hill bluff?

• In addition to public safety, our focus is on minimizing impact to the environment in the construction corridor. Areas where some disturbance is necessary to perform the work will be restored to its pre-work condition.
• Minimal improvements are needed to an existing access road at the Sunset substation to reach three structures and to an existing access road north of the Highland Park neighborhood to reach two structures. No new access roads will be created.
• To access the remaining structures, plans call for a helicopter to remove existing poles and place new ones into hand-dug holes. Utility Task Vehicles, e.g., a side-by-side, will be used.
• The number of poles and structures will be reduced, although the poles will be 10-30 feet higher than the current poles which have been in service since the 1940s.
• The construction area will be restored to its pre-work condition.

Will the work impact trail users in the area?

• The safety of trail users and minimizing impact on existing trails in the construction corridor are very important.
• In advance of work starting, signs will be placed at trail access points to the construction corridor. Trail users will be urged to stay safe by staying out of the construction corridor.
• After the line rebuild is completed, trails in the construction corridor will reopen.

How can I stay informed on the work?

• We will be providing updates to neighborhood councils closest to the transmission line.
• If you would like to receive the updates directly, send an email to transmission_rebuild@avistacorp.com