Main electrical lines in Royal to be placed underground

Alliant Energy's main electrical power lines in Royal will be placed underground during a major project that is expected to be completed by late summer.

Local residents were given the opportunity to hear more about the project and visit with representatives of Alliant Energy and the construction company on Feb. 9 at the Royal Community Center.

In September of 2018, the city council accepted a letter of intent from Interstate Power and Light Co. (Alliant Energy) which stated the utility's intention to replace most of the poles and conductors of the electric distribution system in Royal by mid-2022.

The project is part of Alliant Energy's larger effort to place its main service lines underground to reduce the possibility of power outages due to wind or ice storms. Similar projects have been completed in the Royal area.

Eric Munson, of Alliant Energy, said preliminary design work for the Royal project is "about 95 percent done." A crew of five workers from Michels Corporation will complete the underground installation.

"Mid-April is my goal to start," Project Foreman Chris Kehimeyer explained. "A lot of the work is in alleys. As soon as the frost is pretty much out, we'll go."

According to Kehimeyer, the project is scheduled to be completed in 90 working days.

"It's a pretty good project," he noted.

One item of discussion concerned how residents could have service lines connecting their homes to the electrical system placed underground.

"People are looking for lines of communication, if they can talk to someone to upgrade service," Mayor Josh Toft said.

Munson explained that Alliant Energy will waive the $700 fee that the utility charges for customer service lines to be placed underground. Customers must pay for the wire that connects to the main service. Dustin Henson, of Alliant Energy, said customers will need an electrician to replace the meter socket for the underground service.

"You need to call Alliant right away to get it set up," Henson stressed.

According to discussion some transformers that are attached to overhead poles in alleys will be relocated to boxes in the right-of-way in front of residences. Munson said they would be placed as far back on the right-of-way as possible. It was noted that boxes will not be placed in front of every residence.

"I'm not in favor of transformers being moved to front yards," Council Member Jim Virelli responded.

Easements necessary for the contractor to cut across properties or for underground service to be extended to another property are being finalized. Sara Morken, of Mi-Tech Services, said easement documents contain "standard wording," but the language could be altered to address customers' concerns.

The meeting concluded with Alliant Energy representatives again stressing that anyone interested in having their service line placed underground while Michels Corp. is working in Royal should call 1-800-ALLIANT "as soon as possible."