Oct. 15--TRAVERSE CITY -- Electric utility officials switched gears and unveiled a plan to run overhead power lines along the bay, at least for now.

Traverse City Light & Power board members hope to run an upgraded transmission line down M-72 and Bay Street parallel to Grandview Parkway, with intentions to eventually bury the line along the waterfront.

They opted to forgo immediate aesthetic benefits in order to delay rate increases.

"Yes, it's going to look ugly for some period of time on the bay ... but at least were addressing the entire process," said board member John Welch. "We're not spending all of our resources at once. "

Light & Power board members and staff initially opposed stringing wires above ground on Bay Street, but on Tuesday said they could live with overhead lines until they can afford to bury all utility cables on that stretch. They didn't specify how long the power lines would be strung above ground.

Tuesday's board discussion brought some resolution to a nearly year-long process that began when Slabtown residents disputed the public utility trimming trees to install new lines through Hickory Hills and along Wayne Street.

That option was still on the table at Tuesday's Light & Power meeting, but board members sided with the M-72 route.

Slabtown resident Jennifer Jaffe urged keeping the power lines out of the neighborhoods.

"You have the power to make a long-term decision that will enhance the scenic beauty of the bayfront, Hickory Hills, Hickory Meadows and neighborhoods," she said. "Please choose the M-72 route."

It would cost $7.8 million to construct a transmission line down M-72 with the wires underground along Bay Street. Residential customers would have to pay an extra $6 a month for 20 years to cover that cost.

That same route with all overhead lines has a $3.2 million price tag and would retain more money for near-term projects and delay rate increases.

"It's Light & Power's goal to keep rates as low as possible for as long as possible," said Ed Rice, executive director.

Light & Power's capital improvement plan has only $1.8 million slated for this project, so board members will seek city commission approval to spend more money. The utility will then need to hire an engineering firm to study the feasibility of an M-72 route.

Rice hopes to begin construction next spring, since the existing power line down Wayne and Bay streets is in need of replacement. The new line will provide an additional power source by connecting to Wolverine Power Cooperative's proposed substation at the corner of M-72 and Bugai Road in Elmwood Township.

Light & Power will partner with Wolverine to build the facility, and will wait for construction to commence before starting work on the transmission line.

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