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What Are Those 16-story Tall Towers Near the Zoo Interchange?

American Transmission Co.

Large-scale electrical work is underway in the Zoo Interchange.

Motorists passing through the state’s busiest freeway interchange are getting a look at some new electrical equipment and structures.

Spokesperson for the American Transmission Company Luella Dooley-Menet says some of the new transmission towers in the interchange are nearly 16 stories tall. The towers range from 50 to 60 feet taller than the existing lattice structures that the company is replacing.

The additional height of the towers allows for greater clearance above the new on ramps that will connect Highway 45 and I-94.

Dooley-Menet says changes on the ground are also taking place. Three substations are getting re-fitted. “Since the substations connect to these transmission lines we need to make modifications to them as we complete our work,” Dooley-Menet says.

All of  the electrical work will be finished about a year from now. The changes will cost about $46 million.