News Releases

WICHITA, Kan., (Sept. 17, 2020) – Based on feedback received at an open house last December, Evergy will modify a rebuilt transmission line along Mossman and Green streets in northeast Wichita.

Along Mossman and Green streets, Evergy will replace the top sections of steel turning structures (poles on street corners or where the line changes direction) with shorter sections, reducing their overall height by an average of 10 to 12 feet. Evergy will also replace steel in-line structures (poles between turning structures) with wood poles, reducing their overall height by an average of 10 to 12 feet and moving them an average of 10 to 12 feet closer to the roadway. Construction will begin in October and be complete by the end of the year.

“Our changes to the line along Mossman and Green will reduce the footprint of the line for residents of the area,” said Jeff Beasley, Evergy Vice President, Customer Operations. “We appreciate the community input, which drove the decision in how to modify the transmission line.”

Evergy is rebuilding a transmission line that connects substations on 17^th Street, Mossman Street and the Wichita State University campus. The project replaces a line more than 50 years old and will help improve reliability and support growth in Wichita. The new line is more efficient, stronger and incorporates technology that helps reduce power outages, both in frequency and length. 

When steel structures were installed for the line between substations on 17^th and on Mossman, residents expressed concern about the size and placement of steel poles. Evergy is modifying the line along Mossman and Green streets to reduce the footprint of the line. After those modifications are complete, Evergy will re-evaluate options regarding the rebuilt line along Hydraulic between 11^th and 17^th streets. Evergy will host a public open house in 2021 before finalizing plans to rebuild the line that connects the Mossman Street substation to one on the WSU campus.  

After meeting with residents concerned about the rebuilt transmission line, Evergy made commitments to the community to provide grants to non-profit organizations that serve residents in the area, and to provide an opportunity for residents to review and provide feedback on design plans for the next phase of the project.

Working with the Wichita Community Foundation, Evergy launched a $1 million community fund and a $250,000 scholarship fund in 2019. To date, the fund has awarded $375,000 in grants to 13 organizations in 2019 and more than $246,000 in grants to six organizations this year, as well as $20,000 in scholarships. Additionally, $100,000 in grants were awarded to ten organizations focused on responding to the pandemic and racial injustice this month. A panel of community leaders who have personal and professional connections in Wichita’s city council district 1 review applications and award the grants.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please maintain social distancing and do not approach Evergy employees or contractors when they are working. We appreciate your understanding as we take precautions to protect our community and our workforce.

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