Morse - Gahanna - East BroadTransmission Line Rebuild Project

AEP Ohio representatives plan to strengthen the local transmission system for customers in northeastern Columbus. The upgrades improve electrical reliability by replacing deteriorating wooden poles with modern steel poles. Crews expect construction to begin late 2027 and conclude summer 2031.

The Morse-Gahanna-East Broad Transmission Line Rebuild Project involves:

• Rebuilding about 9 miles of 138-kV transmission line
• Upgrading five substations

Company representatives plan to rebuild the power line in the existing right-of-way; however, they may need to acquire new easements or update current easements to ensure the safe construction, operation and maintenance of the line. Easements are property rights that provide the utility with access needed to safely build, operate and maintain its power lines.

*This project involves Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approval.

Fall 2025: AEP Ohio representatives announced the project and hosted an open house in April 2023. In 2024, the project team began reviewing and revising the project schedule. The timeline below incorporates those updates.

Crews plan to conduct field surveys beginning this fall and continuing through spring 2026. Survey crews plan to use existing roads or lands, whenever possible, to access the power line.

AEP Ohio employees and contractors wear hard hats and high-visibility vests, carry an ID badge and clearly display identification on vehicle dashboards. O.R. Colan (ORC) serves as AEP Ohio’s right-of-way representative for this project. If you have immediate questions, please reach out to Joe Greene at 216-235-3870 or jgreene@orcolan.com.