Latest News
Big Bay/CR 550 Project
Five Stages of Development

Tree Trimming Line Clearance
The initial phase of the Big Bay/CR 550 Project began in early May of this year with the trimming and removal of brush and new tree growth within the road right-of-way along County Road 550. Trees hanging over and around power lines often come into contact with the lines and cause interference and unnecessary outages – especially during windy or stormy weather.

A machine called a forestry mulcher is being used to remove the growth. It features a Fecon mowing head, which reduces trees and brush to nutrient-rich mulch, which is left behind to fertilize the area and prevent small trees from returning. Native grasses and ferns are allowed to return, and the overall impact on the environment is reduced. This technology also allows for select, healthy trees to remain in areas where they pose no threat to electric lines.

A further benefit of managing growth along this road is that it can help to reduce the number of car/deer accidents that often occur along rural highways. Drivers can easily spot deer emerging from the woods several feet off the roadway and take precautions to avoid hitting them.

A New Substation
In general, a substation is an electrical installation consisting of one or more large power transformers, switchgear, control mechanisms, relays, and monitoring and metering devices. The usual function of a substation is to receive power at a high voltage, – usually from the transmission system (or grid, as it is sometimes called) – and step it down to a lower voltage, called distribution voltage, which is the level of voltage that serves most neighborhoods and communities. This is sometimes called a transmission-to-distribution substation. Alger Delta will build a new transmission-to-distribution substation northwest of Marquette. The new substation will take high voltage (138,000 volts) off the transmission system and step the voltage down to our current distribution voltage (24,900 volts). The new substation will have a capacity of 10 megawatts – plenty of capacity to serve our members well into the future. Because the new substation will take power off the transmission system, the reliability and power quality for our Big Bay members will improve.

In general, transmission systems are very secure and usually have backup and alternative power routing flexibility. In addition, transmission-to-distribution substations are efficient and have low electrical, or energy, losses. By reducing energy losses, Alger Delta saves precious natural resources used to produce electricity and reduces operating costs.

A New Line
Alger Delta plans to build a new power line along County Rd. 550. It will begin at a new substation just Northwest of Marquette and terminate just south of Big Bay. Most of this line will be built on poles – in other words, it will be an overhead line. The new line will have two circuits, or feeders, as they are sometimes called. Having two feeders provides operating flexibility and redundancy. One feeder will be mounted at the top of the pole. The second feeder will be mounted just below the top feeder.

The overall length of the new line is approximately 20 miles. Poles will range in height from 45 to 55 feet – although a few may be outside this range. Pole heights vary due to terrain, obstacles, and required clearances.

The new wire is called 336 ACSR and is about ¾ of an inch in diameter. ACSR stands for Aluminum Conductor, Steel Reinforced. The new wire has a steel core surrounded by aluminum strands. This wire is very strong and physically capable of withstanding wind, snow, ice, and incidental tree contact frequently experienced in the area and which cause the majority of power outages and other problems.

For the most part, the new line will be built along County Rd. 550 within the existing road right-of-way. The new line will be taller than the old line to reduce the possibility of tree contact. Even so, trees and brush will be cleared from the road right-of-way. Our brush removal methods encourage grasses and ferns to grow in the right-of-way, which choke out woody growth. Reducing the woody plant growth is a natural way to reduce future tree cutting – although tree trimming and removal will still occur in the future.

As mentioned, the new line will terminate just south of Big Bay. At the termination point, Alger Delta will install a transformer bank that will step the voltage down from 24,900 volts to 12,500 volts. The transformer bank will be built on a structure consisting of three or more poles and an elevated platform. The existing power line will be connected to this transformer bank then continue north and west from that point, to provide power to Big Bay and the Huron Mountain Club, a privately owned hunting and fishing club 10 miles northwest of Big Bay.

Line Clearance Tree Trimming along County Road 510 and AAA Road to Kennecott Minerals
Alger Delta is currently working with the Marquette County Road Commission to determine where electric lines will be placed along this route in order to service the Kennecott Minerals mine site. Alger Delta will follow guidelines given by the Commission and will apply for and obtain permits necessary to proceed with electric installation. Where tree trimming and brush clearance is necessary, the same methods used to manage plant growth within the road right-of-way on County Road 550 will be applied.

A New Service
Alger Delta plans to install electric service to the Kennecott mine site. Power lines will be installed from the intersection of County Rd. 550 / County Rd. 510 to the mine site. In general, the power lines will be installed within the existing road right-of-way, which is typical of many line extensions. Before beginning the work, Alger Delta and the Marquette County Road Commission will work together to define the exact route.

The Kennecott service line is approximately 12.5 miles in length. Some parts may be overhead and some may be underground. The design is not final and is subject to change. As currently planned, the service line to the Kennecott mine site is dedicated to Kennecott’s sole use and will be removed when mining operations cease.