ITC Midwest is moving into the preliminary stage of a major high-voltage electric transmission line project that will run through eastern Wapello, Jefferson and Henry counties in southeast Iowa.
The Coddington-Ottumwa project will upgrade approximately 52 miles of transmission line from the Ottumwa Generating Station near Ottumwa to a new Coddington Substation near Mt. Pleasant. A 345,000-volt line will be added to an existing 161 kV transmission line, with new steel monopole structures built on engineered foundations to accommodate the doubled-circuit line.
Current project activities include a pre-mobilization kickoff meeting completed with Vonderhaar Construction, which will be installing temporary and permanent driveways and access points. JCG Land Services will begin video inspections of agreed-upon haul routes. Vegetation management work is expected to begin within the next few weeks.
The project timeline is as follows:
- November 2026: Pre-construction begins, including vegetation management and installation of gates and driveways
- March 2027: Line construction tentatively scheduled to begin
- July 2028: Construction estimated to be complete
- September 2028: Land restoration begins
ITC Midwest said the project is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s Long-Range Transmission Plan, developed to build needed high-voltage transmission infrastructure across the region. The company said the project will increase transmission infrastructure to improve system reliability, enhance grid resilience to better withstand extreme weather, expand access to generation resources by reducing transmission system congestion, and improve distribution of lower-cost energy resources, including renewables.
ITC Midwest said it is committed to respectful communication with landowners during construction. If access to a property is needed, an ITC Midwest representative will contact the landowner beforehand to discuss preferences and gather important details. Restoration will begin once work is complete, and a representative will contact landowners to review and settle any remaining damage to crops or property.
Landowners with questions can contact Senior Real Estate Specialist Nick Stark at (319) 297-6841, Field Supervisor Adam Winge at (515) 570-2021, or Construction Coordinator Chance Cooper at (515) 203-1188. Project Manager Ryan DeSotel can be reached at (319) 297-6796 or rdesotel@itctransco.com. Additional project information is available at www.coddington-ottumwa.com.
