Overcoming brutal winter conditions and challenging altitudes, Barnard rebuilt Western Area Power Administration’s Estes - Flatiron transmission line to minimize wildfire risks, improve access for maintenance, and reduce the corridor’s environmental footprint.

To update the Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA’s) transmission grid in Loveland, Colorado, Barnard removed 30 circuit miles of existing single-circuit 115kV transmission line, including conductor, ground wire, and wood pole structures. Barnard then installed 15 miles of double circuit 115kV transmission line using 795 ACSR conductor to halve the transmission corridor and its associated environmental footprint while also installing a more resilient steel transmission line. The process included clearing new and expanding the existing right-of-way, building new roads and structure sites throughout remote terrain, and removing aged and deteriorating wood structures. The Barnard team completed the project in 2023, overcoming many challenges, including intense winter storms, high altitudes, and tight outage windows. With the project complete, WAPA can now transmit more reliable electricity to Estes Park.