Kivalina Evacuation Road’s New Power Line

Construction of the three-phase overhead power line constructed along the new 8-mile gravel road from Kivalina to Kisimigiukthk Hill, or K-Hill, began November 2020 after the road was opened for use. All pile foundations were placed by January 2021. The line extension consists of 153 poles with average spans of 270 feet. Because of poorly drained permafrost soil, 191 steel piles were installed to support the poles and anchors.

Summer 2021, AVEC crews will complete the project by installing circuits on existing poles in town near the power plant to better balance the loads expected at K-Hill, and the line will be energized. NWABSD plans to build a new K-12 school at the end of the new 8-mile gravel road. Northwest Arctic Borough School District and the Northwest Arctic Borough Village Improvement Fund provided funding for this project.

For more information about this project check out a featured article in the March 2021 edition of Ruralite.

8 Miles of line doubled the number of poles in Kivalina. Photo by Candy Deardorff