More Neighborhood Surprises From Austin Energy

At BCNA's October general association meeting, Austin Energy (AE) representatives responded to resident concerns over Dawson Road high power lines and poles. Only after a resident asked about AE activity on Bouldin Avenue did the department offer any information on the previously unmentioned Bouldin reconductor project. Here's what we've learned so far about the project's purpose, size and scope from AE's "Public Involvement" officer.

At BCNA's October meeting, where residents expressed their dismay over misrepresentations by the city's energy department about the size of the high power line poles, AE also offered explanations about safety concerns prompted by the lines' electromagnetic fields, and why promises by AE in the early 90s not to run the high power lines through Bouldin's densely populated neighborhood were now being reneged.

Shortly after that meeting, BCNA asked AE about department surveyors sighted on Bouldin Avenue.

AE public involvement/real estate services representative Wendi E. Broden responded to those queries, explaining that the purpose of the Bouldin reconductor project is to upgrade wire and poles for improvement of system reliability.

The Bouldin Project has two phases – Phase I is the reconductor of the existing line on the west side of Bouldin, from Barton Springs Road to Gibson, and then the reconductor of the existing line on the north side of Gibson, from Bouldin to South 1st. Phase II is to make a tie from Bouldin to South 5th; which street AE plans to turn on to make this tie is undetermined at this time.

The proposed construction is narrow in profile, which means the arms at the tops of the poles are much smaller than the existing arms, and that helps with required tree trimming/vegetation clearances. The poles along Annie Street are now 55’ tall and are self-weathering (rust colored) or wood, and the construction is narrow profile. The existing poles on Bouldin are between 35' - 40’ tall.

These photos, provided by AE, are from the Annie Street reconductor Project, which was implemented earlier this year. The photos were taken at the corner of Annie and Nickerson looking west toward Congress Avenue. AE says this is a good representation of the pole height and arm width, and wire gauge planned for the Bouldin reconductor.

AE says it will provide a more formal scope of the project, along with estimated timetable--(hopefully before the reconductor project has already begun--ed.). If you have questions, e-mail or phone Wendi E. Broden, Public Involvement/Real Estate Services Austin Energy,Wendi.Broden@austinenergy.com 322.6237. -Cory Walton

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