Northern Colorado Area Plan Ault to Cloverly Transmission Project

What You Can Anticipate During Construction

In the early stages of construction, Xcel Energy employees and contractors will work within and around the utility’s right-of-way to perform field assessments and gather information that’s used to refine the vegetation and construction plan and minimize disturbance. Survey stakes and flagging will clearly mark easement boundaries and pole locations. Work zones will provide safety barriers for construction crews and the public. Vegetation and other obstacles, such as fences and objects that impede construction, are temporarily removed or relocated within or along the edge of the easement to allow for the safe construction, operation and maintenance of the transmission line.

Vegetation trimming, pruning and removal are conducted in two phases as the project progresses. The initial phase includes removing incompatible vegetation in and around the transmission line easement. This may include vegetation outside the easement that could pose a risk, such as dead or unstable trees that are close enough to strike a line or pole if they fall. After the transmission line is built and conductor is in place, a final vegetation assessment is performed to verify proper clearance.

We take thoughtful measures to protect yards and agricultural property around our construction area by installing temporary erosion-control measures to minimize ground disturbance and keep sedimentation, from potential stormwater runoff, from leaving the construction site. We also place composite mats or riprap to stabilize the ground at right-of-way entry points and silt fences, wattles and haybales along the right-of-way to control sediment runoff.

Large, heavy equipment, including cranes, excavators, flat bed trailers and bucket trucks, are used to construct and install new structures and conductor. On occasion, we may need to temporarily stop traffic to facilitate the safe delivery of materials and equipment on and off the jobsite, but these disturbances typically last only a few minutes.

Crews work to keep the project on schedule by concurrently working in multiple areas along a line segment. As a result, you may notice lulls in construction activity near your home while crews work in other locations. We strive to be a good neighbor, respecting local noise ordinances and working to limit noise-producing construction activities outside of normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local noise ordinances allow construction between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. On occasion, our crews need the flexibility to work outside those hours to complete time-sensitive activities.

When construction is completed, inspections are conducted and restoration begins. The right-of-way will be cleared of construction materials and equipment and restoration activities will be performed.

We do not anticipate any disruption in your electric service during construction. However, unforeseen circumstances do arise at times and we must adjust our plans. Should a temporary outage become necessary to perform a portion of the work, Xcel Energy will notify you in advance.