One year after crews began clearing a path, construction of the Fort McCoy-Salt Springs transmission line is underway. Poles are arriving, and crews are excavating holes and setting structures along the route.

The new 115-kilovolt line will connect Clay Electric’s Fort McCoy and Salt Springs substations. Each currently depends on a single transmission path through heavily wooded areas. If a tree falls, a pole breaks or equipment fails, the affected substation can remain without power until repairs are completed.

Connecting the substations will create a loop and give electricity two paths into the area. If one section is damaged, Clay Electric will be able to isolate it and supply power from the opposite direction. Service can be restored while crews complete repairs.

The loop will be especially valuable during hurricanes and other major storms. The existing transmission lines travel through the Ocala National Forest, where tall trees and difficult terrain can make damage more extensive and repairs more time-consuming.

The second path will also allow Clay Electric to perform maintenance with fewer service interruptions. Sections of line can be safely taken out of service while transmission or substation work is completed.

Distribution facilities are being upgraded as part of the project. After the transmission poles and conductor are installed, distribution facilities will be placed below them on the same poles. A larger distribution conductor will increase capacity and give system operators more options when switching power around outages or maintenance work.

Clay Electric does not expect members to experience outages because of the work. Brief road closures may be needed while crews move equipment or materials across roads, but they should last less than five minutes at a time.

The transmission portion of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Distribution work will continue afterward.