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Belmont-Beaumeade (Line 227)
Overview
The Belmont to Beaumeade project replaced existing conductor with new electrical equipment in an existing right of way. This project was necessary to ensure the continued integrity of the electric grid. We completed this reconductor ahead of schedule in late May 2023.
For about five miles along the W&OD Trail, Dominion Energy replaced the overhead wires between the transmission structures. On a shorter section of the project, we replaced aging lattice structures with new, taller steel double-circuit monopoles. This project also included one single-circuit structure. This transmission project was approximately eight miles long and located in the northwest section of Loudoun County, Virginia.
Benefits
- Complies with mandatory standards to ensure safety, reliability and to meet future needs
- Replaces aging infrastructure
Timeline
- August 2022 – December 2022: Phase 1 Beaumeade to Ashburn substations (WD&OD Trail from east of Smith Switch Road to Claiborne Parkway)
- January 2023 – May 2023: Phase 2 Ashburn to Cochran Mill substations (W&OD Trail from Claiborne Parkway to Battlefield Parkway at Tuscarora Creek Park)
- March – May 2023: Phase 3 Cochran Mill to Belmont substations (no W&OD Trail Impacts)
Documents
- Construction activities will begin in August 2022. Work will start on the W&OD Trail east of Smith Switch Road near our Beaumeade Substation and end at Claiborne Parkway at our Ashburn Substation.
- Trail traffic may be temporarily stopped for 15-minute intervals.
- Trail users may be directed to use the gravel path.
- The gravel path may be closed at times.
- Equipment will be staged along the transmission line corridor.
- The W&OD Trail will be closed from Loudoun County Parkway to Claiborne Parkway for approximately five days in October 2022 (detour occurred Oct. 24–28). Both paved and gravel paths will be closed and patrolled by law enforcement.
- Students who use the W&OD Trail to access Farmwell Station Middle and Dominion Trail Elementary Schools will be permitted to cross at Tippecanoe Terrace during limited hours before and after school.
- A four-mile detour (pending VDOT approval) will direct trail users from Loudoun County Parkway to Claiborne Parkway.
- Phase 1 construction activities continue until December 2022.
- Trail users may be directed to use the gravel path.
- The gravel path may be closed at times.
Ashburn to Cochran Mill substations (W&OD Trail from Claiborne Parkway to Tuscarora Creek Park): January–May 2023
- As part of this project, we will replace five aging double-circuit structures and install one new single-circuit structure with taller, steel monopoles, between our Pleasant View and Cochran Mill substations. Construction of these six new structures is planned between January and March 2023. There are no impacts to the W&OD Trail.
- Construction activities will begin in early 2023. Work will start on the W&OD Trail at Claiborne Parkway at our Ashburn Substation, continue to the Pleasant View Substation Junction near Cochran Mill Road, and turn south along Cochran Mill Road to end at our Cochran Mill Substation.
- Trail traffic may be temporarily stopped for 15-minute intervals
- Trail users may be directed to use the gravel path
- The gravel path may be closed at times
- Equipment will be staged along the transmission line corridor
- UPDATE 4/7/23: The W&OD Trail was closed from Rolling Water Terrace (west of Ashburn Road) and Tuscarora Creek Park (at Battlefield Parkway and Solitude Court) for five days on April 3–7. Both paved and gravel paths were closed and patrolled by law enforcement. A detour route was available.
- Construction activities continue until May 2023.
- Trail users may be directed to use the gravel path
- The gravel path may be closed at times
Cochran Mill to Belmont substations (no W&OD Trail Impacts): March–June 2023
- Reconductor work occurs between our Cochran Mill and Belmont substations
FAQs
Approximately five miles of the project will occur along the W&OD Trail. Work will be similar to our Beaumeade Substation to Pleasant View Substation Reconductor Project completed in spring 2022. Since the two transmission lines share the same structures, our crews can only work on one line at a time. Therefore, we need to return to your neighborhood to work on the other circuit along the W&OD Trail between Smith Switch Road and Cochran Mill Road.
In coordination with NOVA Parks, we expect to close the W&OD Trail for five days in October 2022 (between Loudoun County Parkway and Claiborne Parkway) and for up to 10 days in April 2023 (between Rolling Water Terrace (west of Ashburn Road) and Tuscarora Creek Park (at Battlefield Parkway and Solitude Court)). Detours (pending VDOT-approval) will direct trail users on alternate paths. The October 2022 detour is approximately four miles long, and the April 2023 detour is approximately eight miles long. We do not anticipate any weekend closures. Specific detour dates will be announced in fall 2022 and spring 2023. We will also have an interactive detour map on our website for each closure.
Dominion Energy is committed to safety. Our electric transmission line work is performed by professionals who climb or access the structures by bucket truck using coordinated safety protocols. The wire is very heavy and will slack near the ground during our reconductor work. While the wire is unenergized, there is the risk for induced voltage from the adjacent energized wire. Therefore, only permitted personnel wearing protective gear may enter the work zone. It is imperative that the public remain off both the paved and gravel trails when posted during our work. To ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, security, flaggers, and spotters will be onsite, and signs will be posted at specific locations to notify trail users to follow detours.
The Phase 1 detour in October 2022 is approximately four miles long. The Phase 2 detour in April 2023 is approximately eight miles long because the trail bridge across Goose Creek at Quarry Overlook is closed during our work, and the nearest bridge crossing is at Riverside Parkway. We will post an interactive detour map on our website for each closure.
Trail traffic may be temporarily stopped for 15-minute intervals, and trail users may be directed to use the gravel path. The gravel path may be closed at times. We are working to minimize trail impacts and will only pause traffic when necessary.
You may see our crews and contractors between August 2022 and May 2023. For five days in October 2022, we will close the W&OD Trail while we pull wire to reconductor the transmission line between our Beaumeade and Ashburn substations. For up to 10 days in April 2023, we will close the W&OD Trail while we pull wire to reconductor the transmission line between our Ashburn and Cochran Mill substations. Phase 3 work in 2023 will not impact the W&OD Trail.
Yes! We are coordinating with Loudoun County Public Schools to ensure safe commuting paths for students to/from the neighboring schools by pausing our work in the morning and afternoon and temporarily opening trail crossings for students. Schools will provide any changes to walk zones and bus schedules through Blackboard.
Students who rely on the W&OD Trail to access Farmwell Station Middle and Dominion Trail Elementary Schools will be permitted to cross at Tippecanoe Terrace during limited hours before and after school. Students who rely on the W&OD Trail to access Newton-Lee Elementary, Trailside Middle, and Stone Bridge High Schools will be permitted to cross at the Trailside Park access path during limited hours before and after school.
We will be working near homes and businesses adjacent to the trail. Please maintain a safe distance from construction sites for your protection and to allow our crews to work safely. Because we will be working near residential backyards, parks, and schools, adults should ensure children and pets do not enter the active work areas for everyone’s safety. It is imperative that the public remain off both the paved and gravel trails when posted during our work. Construction zones will be marked by netting or fencing.
Economic and residential growth in Loudoun County, Virginia has resulted in increased electrical demand, particularly in the commercial and high-tech sectors. As such, upgraded electric transmission infrastructure is needed on this line to serve new data center development and maintain reliable and secure service to all residential and commercial customers in the area.
VEPCO (The Virginia Electric & Power Company), the company that is known today as Dominion Energy, did own the W&OD Trail property in the past when rail service operated. The old railroad ended passenger service in 1951 and the rail line was abandoned in 1968. VEPCO donated the property to NOVA Parks for public use in 1974. NOVA Parks transformed the old railroad into pedestrian/cycling paths. The W&OD Trail was completed in 1988 and remains under the management of NOVA Parks today. More about the history of the railroad that became the W&OD Trail. At Dominion Energy, we continue to maintain critical electric infrastructure along the trail, which means there are temporary impacts to trail use at times. We are committed to working safely and courteously and will restore the area once work is complete.
You can request your mailing address be added to our distribution list by calling 888-291-0190 or sending an email to powerline@dominionenergy.com.
Maps
W&OD Trail Detour
View maps, postcards and other simulations regarding the Belmont to Beaumeade project, also known as the Line 227.
View Power-Viz Interactive Project Map with W&OD Trail Detour
Legal
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has regulatory authority over all energy providers in Virginia. Among other responsibilities, the SCC validates the need for a proposed line and approves the route and structures. In reviewing a proposed project, the SCC must consider whether potential impacts on scenic assets, historic districts and the environment have been reasonably minimized.
On 5/20/21, Dominion Energy filed its application with the SCC. The SCC issued its Final Order approving the project on 2/8/22. Documents related to the case are available to the public on the SCC Docket of the SCC website or search by Case No. PUR-2021-00100 in the " Search Cases " section. In addition, interested parties may visit the SCC Case Comments Page where individual mailboxes are available for each case accepting public comments.
Application Documents 2021
Meetings
Timeline
2023
Through December 2023
Restoration activities (vegetation management) continue through December 2023
March - May 2023
Phase 3 – Cochran Mill to Belmont substations (no W&OD Trail Impacts)
January - May 2023
Phase 2 – Ashburn to Cochran Mill substations (W&OD Trail from Claiborne Parkway to Battlefield Parkway at Tuscarora Creek Park)
2022
August - December 2022
Phase 1 – Beaumeade to Ashburn substations (W&OD Trail from east of Smith Switch Road to Claiborne Parkway)
February 8, 2022
Virginia State Corporation Commission issues a permit to begin construction
2021
May 20, 2021
Project filed with the State Corporation Commission
May 6, 2021
Informational Virtual Community Meeting planned
January - May 2021
Outreach to the community
Construction-Related Impacts
Service Interruption
Your electric service is not expected to be impacted by this project.
Noise
Noise levels will be minimal; permits are in place.
Environment
This project will not have environmental impacts.
Neighborhood
Access to surrounding neighborhoods will not be impacted.
What matters to you?
Explore GeoVoice, an interactive mapping tool.>You can:
- Search for your address
- Explore proposed project routes and nearby Loudoun County Reliability Projects
- Send comments to the project team
We want to hear from you. Sign up today, access GeoVoice.
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