Leslie-Stinnett 161kV Transmission Line Rebuild

Location: Kentucky

Areas of Expertise: Transmission

Hooper’s Electric Power Division recently completed a transmission project with American Electric Power (AEP) in southeast Kentucky. The Leslie-Stinnett Transmission Line Rebuild successfully upgraded approximately 5.5 miles of 161kV transmission line and improved long-term power reliability and safety for the surrounding communities.

The project involved the removal of aging wood pole structures dating back to the 1940s and their replacement with a combination of steel lattice towers and direct-embed steel pole H-frames. In addition to the structure upgrades, crews installed new wire along the transmission route to modernize the line. These upgrades will significantly reduce the need for frequent maintenance, strengthen system resilience, and help limit outages.

Hooper teams navigated some of the toughest landscapes in Appalachia, working through steep ridges, heavily wooded terrain, and rugged conditions common to southeast Kentucky. To support safe and efficient construction in these conditions, Hooper partnered with Helicopter Powerline Services, whose specialized aerial support played a critical role in the installation of ropes for conductor stringing along the transmission corridor.