Shown is the height difference between the existing lattice towers, on the left, and the new monopoles, shown on the right.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Crews with PAR Electrical Contractor, general contractors for the NIPSCO Reynolds-Topeka Line, are working in the area erecting the monopole (single pole) structures. Recently the crews were working between CR 1100N and Beer Road and are moving toward the Elkhart County line.

The steel monopoles range in height from 130 to 195 feet and take an estimated one hour to erect.

The estimation is all monopole structures will be erected by October/November. Work on the substations will continue through the second quarter of 2018.

Once all the poles are installed, the installation of lines will take place with a helicopter feeding a sock line to the towers, then hooked to a hard line and pulled with machines and tensioners.

There are a total of 493 towers, 1,100 to 1,200 feet apart, in the new 100-mile line traveling from Reynolds, in White County, to a substation in Burr Oak, in Marshall County, then to the Hiple substation near Topeka. In areas the new line follows the existing high voltage line, also owned by NIPSCO.

The project began in the winter of 2012. It was in August 2013 the final route selection was made and right of way entry permission was solicited. Permitting for the project and right of way acquisition took place in the later part of 2013 and into 2014. Right of way survey work, erosion control barriers in construction sites and access roads were started in the area early 2016. Actual construction began in June 2016.