Winslow Tap 115kV transmission line rebuild
Current project phase: Rights acquisition
Project Manager: Jeff McMeekin
July 2025 Project updates
- We’re currently coordinating with property owners to acquire easements for the project and expect construction to take place in 2027 and 2028. Construction would occur during non-storm season, typically from late spring to early fall.
- We have done our best to identify opportunities to minimize project impacts. Where impacts are unavoidable, PSE is required to provide compensatory mitigation. When considering options for mitigation, we identified an opportunity to work with a respected local community organization with extensive experience in science-based conservation — the Bainbridge Island Land Trust.
Project overview
PSE plans to rebuild portions of the existing 4.5-mile Winslow Tap 115 kV transmission line. The Winslow Tap is the only transmission line serving the Winslow Substation, which supplies power to approximately 4,500 homes and businesses on the south end of the Island.
The transmission line was built the 1960s and certain equipment is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. In addition, portions of the line are located in a heavily-vegetated corridor with difficult terrain and protected wetlands and streams, which makes it challenging to respond to outages.
We will replace some existing poles and equipment, install new wire and improve safety and access along the corridor. This work will reduce the number and duration of outages, serving customers reliably into the future.
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A new look
PSE plans to replace poles in the same general location as the existing poles, in most cases. Less than half of the existing poles along the transmission line corridor need to be replaced.
We will replace existing poles with primarily round wood transmission poles similar in height to the poles there today. In wetlands and shoreline, we will replace with non-treated poles such as fiberglass (pictured right) or steel.
Document library
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