I&M Launches Latest South Bend Project

Fort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power has launched the latest project as part of its $170 million Powering Up Greater South Bend program. The Central South Bend Reliability project includes the construction of two new substations and two miles of underground transmission lines.

The new substations, named Rapids and Muessel, will replace the aging Drewry and Colfax substations. I&M is hosting an open house February 23 at the Century Center in South Bend to give residents the opportunity to learn more about this latest project.

"I&M is dedicated to providing reliable, affordable service to our customers in South Bend and the surrounding area," said Toby Thomas, chief operating officer of I&M. "These enhancements are designed to not only improve the reliability of service to our customers but to have higher capacity in place to help meet future needs."

The Central South Bend Reliability project is the fourth of six projects being done as part of the Powering Up Greater South Bend program. The others include:

• The New Carlisle-South Bend Transmission Line Rebuild. Rebuild and upgrade about 8 miles of transmission line, replace aging wooden poles with steel ones, and construct a new substation. An open house on the project was held in October, and engineering and surveys are being completed.
• The Gravel Pit Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades. Add 6 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) line, expand and modernize the Gravel Pit Substation southwest of South Bend and retire about 2 miles of aging 34.5-kV line. An open house was held in January, and I&M is studying the public comments from that open house and weighing the alternatives.
• The Twin Branch-Kenzie Creek Transmission Line Rebuild. Rebuild approximately 7 miles of 138-kV transmission line and replace lattice towers with tubular steel pole structures. Because this project involves rebuilding an existing line where it is currently located, an open house was not held but information about the project was mailed to landowners.
• The New Carlisle-Bosserman Area Improvements. Construct two new substations, retire two existing substations and upgrade the transmission lines to 138 kV. This project is also still being developed, with details expected to be announced this spring.
• The Jackson Road-Marshall Transmission Line Rebuild. Replace a line that runs from the south side of South Bend to northern Marshall County. This project is still being developed, and more details are expected to be announced this spring.

You can learn more about the Powering Up Greater South Bend program by clicking here.