A major high-voltage transmission project currently under construction by Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) across central Georgia will bring new infrastructure through Putnam County as part of a broader regional power upgrade.
The transmission line will run within a 150-foot-wide right-of-way, mostly acquired in 2011 by GTC, including land purchased from Georgia Power. Portions of that corridor in Putnam County will form part of a high-capacity, 500,000volt network intended to support long-term energy demand and grid reliability, according to information from GTC.
The East Walton–Rockville 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line will stretch roughly 46.5 miles, crossing Putnam, Morgan, and Walton counties. Within Putnam County, the transmission line will run roughly parallel to Lake Oconee, ranging from about two to five miles west of the lake, crossing Harmony Road and Hwy. 44, Old Phoenix and New Phoenix Roads, Ward’s Chapel Road, and Hwy. 16, among others.
A 500 kV switching station is also planned for Putnam County, to be constructed southwest of the intersection of Hwy. 16 and Rockville Road.
GTC construction activity in Putnam County will extend beyond the transmission line itself. Existing access paths — part of nearly 23 miles identified along the route — will be used and improved for both construction and ongoing maintenance. This will involve tree trimming, grading, and adding gravel in some areas. New access roads, totaling about four miles across the entire project, will also be built where necessary.
Temporary construction zones will also be established to support the installation of the transmission line, including areas used to pull conductor wires into place. Altogether, these temporary spaces account for just over 11 acres across the project footprint.
Putnam County residents can expect to see both construction traffic and land preparation activity as development progresses along the established corridor for up to a year.