SWEPCO plans to relocate aging transmission line in Southeast Upshur County

Public Invited to April 7 Town Hall to View Proposed Routes and Share Feedback

March 26, 2026

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) has announced plans to relocate a segment of electrical transmission line in southeast Upshur County, north of Longview — part of a sweeping effort to modernize the aging power grid across East Texas.

SWEPCO officials plan to move roughly two miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that currently runs parallel to FM 449 on the south side of the roadway and crosses FM 2879.

Why the Line Must Move

The transmission line is roughly 60 years old and is beyond its service life. It cannot be rebuilt in place because homes have been built up around the line, preventing crews from accessing it with the heavy equipment necessary to rebuild it. Rather than a simple upgrade, the line must be physically relocated to a new corridor where modern construction methods can be employed.

The rebuilt line will use steel poles, a more durable and longer-lasting design than the aging infrastructure it replaces. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027.

Community Input Sought

SWEPCO officials are holding a town hall from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 7 at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, located at 100 Grand Blvd. Landowners near the line are invited to view proposed relocation routes and learn more about the project. People can arrive at any point during the event.

Katelyn Hahn, an outreach specialist for SWEPCO, said company officials will consider feedback from the open house as they decide where to relocate the line. She emphasized that the window for public input is important, as the matter will ultimately go before state regulators. The Public Utility Commission of Texas will have the final say over where the line is relocated, so landowners are encouraged to voice any concerns early in the process.

Landowners near the line have already been notified of the project and the upcoming town hall meeting. An online map showing the proposed relocation routes is available at aeptransmission.com/Texas/NGPL/.

Part of a Larger East Texas Overhaul

The Upshur County project is just one piece of a much larger infrastructure initiative. SWEPCO plans to strengthen the East Texas power grid by replacing, upgrading, or constructing more than 320 miles of transmission line across Camp, Franklin, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, and Van Zandt counties.

The power lines included in this transmission improvements initiative are all more than 60 years old and have reached the end of their planned service lives.

Residents often wonder what these projects mean for their electric bills. According to SWEPCO, the cost for the projects is spread equally among all SWEPCO customers and is paid using allocations for improvements already included in existing bills — meaning no additional charges will appear as a result of this work.

What Landowners Can Expect

As each project progresses, landowners and residents can expect to receive additional information. They may also be contacted by a right-of-way agent to discuss their property and be invited to an open house to learn more about how the project might impact them. Following project announcements and open houses, SWEPCO right-of-way representatives may contact affected landowners to discuss property access, necessary easements, and upcoming field activities.

For more information on the southeast Upshur County project and the broader East Texas transmission improvements plan, visit **aeptransmission.com/texas/easttexas/.

Claude

 

This article is based on reporting from the Longview News-Journal and information provided by SWEPCO/AEP Transmission.