Rabun County is currently undergoing three system upgrade projects located near our Lakes Rabun, Seed, and Burton. These projects aim to enhance the reliability and modernization of the hydro, transmission and distribution systems in the area.
Project Details
- Construction of a new substation to replace the current Terrora Hydro and Distribution substations.
- Construction of new substation to replace existing Nacoochee Hydro substation.
- Rebuild the Burton Hydro substation.
- Replace existing overhead transmission lines with new underground lines along Seed Lake Road.
- Rebuild the existing Terrora-Burton transmission line.
Purpose:
Upgrading existing infrastructure to help enhance the reliability in the area.
Completion date:
Varying across the different projects, but scheduled to end by end of 2025.
Local impact:
Road closures will be intermittent throughout the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the project will last?
This project began Q4 2023 and will continue through Q2 2025.
What stretch of road will contractors be working throughout the timeframe?
There are three primary stretch zones:
- Intersection of Low Gap & Seed Lake Rd (Nacoochee Dam) to Burton Dam Rd & Day Lily Ln (Burton Dam)
- Along Low Gap Rd up to intersection with Crow Creek Rd
- Intersection Crow Creek Rd & Geronimo Ln up to near 649 Crow Creek Rd
What should I do if there is damage to my property?
You can report a claim by sending an email to GPCprojects3@southernco.com.
How will boring affect my land/rental properties?
Great care is taken to minimize impacts from surface disturbance, vibration, and noise.
- Modern boring techniques, such as directional drilling, are designed to minimize surface disturbance, meaning there’s less impact on the property above ground compared to traditional trenching methods.
- Depending on the equipment used and proximity to the boring site, you might experience some level of vibration.
- Construction and boring activities can be noisy, although this is usually limited to daytime hours to minimize disruption.
Why are lines sticking up from the ground?
Before any construction or digging projects begin, we make sure pipes and cables buried underground are marked. These markings help to prevent accidental damage to utility lines during construction. However, the actual lines or flags you see sticking up are typically makers for the utilities beneath the ground and not the utilities themselves.
What other things are being affected by construction such as water lines, septic lines, mud run off, etc. and what is Georgia Power doing to protect those lines?
Once the locations of sensitive lines (septic, water, etc.) that may see mud run off are known, Georgia Power implements various protective measures including physical barriers, silt fencing, hay bales, and use of trenchless technologizes that minimize ground disturbance. During construction, ongoing monitoring ensures that any unforeseen impacts on utilities are quickly identified. Response plans are in place to address any damages or disruptions, minimizing the impact on the affected service.
Why are boxes/vaults in my yard and not across the road further away from the lake?
Vault/box placement could potentially be on both sides of the road. We determine the selection of locations by carefully considering the road shoulder width, the presence of curves along the road, and the accessibility for our machinery. Specifically, we prioritize areas that can accommodate our equipment, while avoiding locations that have limited shoulder space and significate curves, as these factors can pose challenges to our operations.
For more information on our grid reliability efforts.