Martin West to Silver Springs Transmission Line Rebuild Project

Overview of the Project

We’re improving our transmission infrastructure, the backbone of our state’s energy system – powering communities and helping to build the smarter, cleaner energy future that customers want. As part of this commitment and to meet anticipated growth in Marion County, Duke Energy identified the need for improvements to the power grid in the Ocala area.

Project Details

• Rebuild and improve 10.5 miles of existing transmission line from our Silver Springs Substation at 59 Palm Drive in Ocala to our Martin West Substation at 10460 Gainesville Road in Ocala.
• Remove and replace existing structures with monopole (single pole) concrete or steel structures approximately 160 feet tall.
• The work will take place within existing Duke Energy easements.

Project Area

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Benefits to the area

• Enhance the ability of Duke Energy and neighboring utilities to provide safe and reliable energy to homes, community facilities and businesses in the area.
• Increase capacity to continue delivering reliable electricity to meet the region's growing energy needs.
• Maintain a robust energy delivery system, which is integral to the continued economic prosperity of the region.
• Strengthen our transmission capability to protect against electricity outages during severe weather.

What to Expect

Field personnel are in the easement collecting information and data needed to prepare and plan for engineering design and construction to be performed. Vegetation clearing is expected to begin in Spring 2022 and construction is anticipated to begin late summer 2022. Field activities before construction may include:

• Ecological surveys
• Surveying and staking of the easement boundaries
• Soil borings (drilling to take soil samples)
• Staking of underground utilities
• Selective trimming and vegetation and tree removal 
• Removal/relocation of obstructions (fences, sheds, etc.) for safe access to structures