Rural Access, Rebuilds Drive Looming U.S. T&D Project Starts

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Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

More than $8 billion worth of transmission and distribution projects are set to begin construction across the U.S. in the fourth quarter, with companies like Xcel and CenterPoint aiming to improve outdated infrastructure and reach rural communities.

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Midwest Leads in Likely Kickoffs

The U.S. is expected to see a swath of transmission and distribution (T&D) projects kick off before the end of the year, fueled by renewable-energy growth, support for typically underserved areas, and the need to replace aging infrastructure. Industrial Info Resources is tracking more than $8 billion worth of T&D projects set to begin construction across the U.S. in the fourth quarter, with Invenergy LLC, Xcel Energy Incorporated and CenterPoint Energy among the top investors.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, the U.S. Midwest region accounts for more than $1.2 billion worth of projects with a high likelihood (81% or more) of kicking off, as currently planned, in the fourth quarter. One of the largest is a key segment of Invenergy's 800-mile, 600-kilovolt (kV) Grain Belt Express transmission line, which aims to carry 5,000 megawatts (MW) of wind-generated energy across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

Construction on a 200-mile portion of the project, as well as converter stations in Spearville, Kansas, and Palmyra, Missouri, is expected to run into mid-2028, following the project's much-needed victory at the Illinois Supreme Court earlier this year. Industrial Info Resources offers more information on Grain Belt Express in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database, where readers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in reports on the 200-mile segment, the Spearville and Palmyra stations.

The Grain Belt Express has faced a host of legal challenges, some of which might continue to bedevil it during construction. For more information, see Industrial Info Resources' September 15, 2026, article - U.S. Power Transmission 'Super-Highways' Moving Along.

Smaller-scale projects scattered across the Midwest include two projects from ITC Midwest LLC, a subsidiary of Fortis Incorporated: the 8.5-mile Forks-Rost line in southern Minnesota, which is designed to connect two proposed substations, and the 54-mile rebuild of a line in Iowa to create a double-circuit line. Both projects are set to run into the second half of 2027. Readers can consult detailed reports on the Minnesota and Iowa projects.

ITC's Iowa project is part of its Tranche 2.1 program, which is being developed in accordance with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's (MISO) Long-Range Transmission Plan (LRTP) to improve reliability across the Midwest. David Hutchins, the chief executive officer of Fortis, said ITC expects between $3.3 billion and $3.8 billion of investment "beyond 2030" for projects that have been awarded as part of Tranche 2.1.

By the Numbers

• More than $8 billion: Total investment in T&D projects set to begin construction across the U.S. in the fourth quarter
• About $1.2 billion: Total value of projects with a high likelihood of kicking off across the U.S. Midwest in the same period
• More than $1.2 billion: Total value of fourth-quarter kickoffs attributed to rebuild projects

Rising Need for Rural Support, Rebuilds

Many of the T&D projects set to kick off before the end of the year aim to better energize areas that have been underserved in the past. Xcel announced progress over the past few months on its Colorado Power Pathway project, a long-term program designed to provide rural Colorado with better access to the power grid. The company aims to develop 550 to 610 miles of double-circuit, 345-kilovolt line, about 145 miles of which already is in service.

A 120-mile segment from Aurora to Pueblo, Colorado, is set to begin construction before the end of the year, and will be supported by an expansion of the Harvest Mile Substation in Aurora. Readers can learn more about the Colorado Power Pathway developments from detailed project reports on the Aurora-to-Pueblo line and the Harvest Mile expansion.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, more than $1.2 billion of the fourth-quarter kickoffs are attributed to rebuild projects, such as CenterPoint Energy's 21.5-mile line overhaul within Galveston, Texas. The improved line will connect the Stewart and West Bay substations, both of which are expected to see upgrade projects begin around the same time.

CenterPoint says the bulk of the Galveston overhaul will involve replacing aging lines with stronger concrete poles to improve reliability on the west side of the Texas island. Readers can learn more from detailed project reports on the line improvements, and the Stewart and West Bay upgrades.

The Industrial Info Resources GMI Project and Plant databases offer a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and a full list of related plant profiles.

Industrial Info Resources also offers a full list of reports for T&D projects set to begin construction across the U.S. in the fourth quarter.

Key Takeaways

• Renewable-energy growth, support for typically underserved areas, and the need to replace aging infrastructure drive T&D demand.
• Invenergy's 800-mile Grain Belt Express transmission line is moving forward following a series of legal challenges.
• Xcel's Colorado Power Pathway project aims to provide rural Colorado with better access to the power grid.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).