Standing in the way, though, is a big bur oak tree
By GLEN WERLING
Indiana Michigan Power is undertaking a distribution line replacement project and in the way is a massive landmark bur oak tree.
The tree, which stands about a quarter mile south of the Ossian Industrial Park, is on 1.35 acres of land owned by Wells County Revitalization Inc. The tree is on the northeast corner of the property and has had its east side trimmed numerous times over the years to prevent it from extending out over Ind. 1.
Because bur oaks only grow at a rate of about a foot a year is likely more than 100 years old. The tree stands approximately 60 feet tall and had a trunk diameter of about five feet.
I&M has already marked the tree for removal but rural Ossian resident Gene Donaghy has contacted I&M about possibly preserving the tree.
Donaghy, a retired corporate executive with Northeastern REMC, has proposed an alternative to cutting the tree down by bypassing it with the new line.
“I totally understand why AEP wants to cut this down. I was with I&M for 18 and a half years and Northeastern REMC for 20 so I get it,” Donaghy stated.
He added, “But I would suggest building the line so after the tree eventually dies … the distribution line can be placed in line. A couple of poles, some extra conductor, and a few guy wires and you’re done.”
Donaghy believes that bypassing the tree would be less expensive than removing a tree so large.
I&M has already contracted tree removal along the proposed distribution line’s route and tree removal along the proposed line is underway. In the Feb. 1 edition of the News-Banner, a feature photo showed the crew cutting down an aged Norway spruce in a front yard at the corner of Ind. 1 and 800N.
Tracy Warner, corporate communications manager for Indiana Michigan Power explained that the work planned is:
• An existing line will be relocated eastward from the current location along the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks to Ind. 1 from Yoder Road on the north to a point about halfway between 1200N (Allen County line) and 1100N on the south.
• The line between 850N and 700N will also be re-located eastward to Ind. 1.
• Other portions of the line south of 700N are already located near the highway and will be rebuilt at their current location, using new poles and wires.
• Beginning about a half mile south of U.S. 224 and continuing about 4 miles southward, crews will be installing an additional neutral wire, up to the Murray substation (on Bluffton’s north side). While this will not require moving poles, work will be undertaken in this area.
Also I&M will be removing a line between the railroad and Indiana 1 along County Road 1050N, and the addition of a line between the two points two miles south on 850N.
“The work — both on distribution and transmission lines — is expected to continue through 2023, much of 2024 and possibly into 2025,” Warner stated.
He explained that the re-location will make the distribution lines much more accessible to Indiana Michigan Power crews.
“The new, stronger lines and poles are designed to strengthen the equipment’s resilience against power outages, but if outages occur — or maintenance is needed — crews will be able to access the lines and poles much more quickly to restore power,” Warner said.
Currently crews have to access the poles through fields or grassy access paths along the railroad. They’ll be able to access the poles off adjacent Ind. 1 when the distribution lines are relocated.
Indiana Michigan Power is also planning to rebuild the existing transmission line.
“Except for a short segment, the transmission line between the two substations (Pleasant Center substation and Murray substation) will be rebuilt at the existing location — using new, stronger poles, wires and other equipment to enhance reliability,” Warner wrote.
glenw@news-banner.com
