Missouri is a bit unique in that local county commissions must assent to crossing of their roads by new transmission lines.
Improvements along public roads--location--control. 229.100. No person or persons, association, companies or corporations shall erect poles for the suspension of electric light, or power wires, or lay and maintain pipes, conductors, mains and conduits for any purpose whatever, through, on, under or across the public roads or highways of any county of this state, without first having obtained the assent of the county commission of such county therefor; and no poles shall be erected or such pipes, conductors, mains and conduits be laid or maintained, except under such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed and promulgated by the county highway engineer, with the approval of the county commission.
And why should the county commission have authority over transmission work over local roads? This.
Citizens raise concerns about Mark Twain Transmission Line construction
Project Manager Jim Jontry says that people in the area may see crews out clearing trees and installing access points.
He adds that a few residents in the area have raised concerns about the condition of the roads as heavy vehicles travel over them.
Jontry wants to assure citizens that roads will be restored.
"We are using roads in the area and making sure that those roads are kept in a condition that are passable. Working safely in the area is really our main priority and keeping the roads passable is a big part of that, so if there are any concerns, anyone can reach out to us and let us know, and we will address them as soon as we can."The anticipated in-service date for the Mark Twain Transmission Line is May of this year.
A county has authority over its roadways. Transmission work could place poles or wires in an unsafe manner. Or perhaps cause destruction of county roadways left for taxpayers to repair. Or make roadways impassible.
Apparently Ameren has done something to the roadways with its heavy vehicle traffic making them "passable." Passable is a description maybe best left for third world countries. The citizens who use those roadways every day may consider "passable" to be "impassible." Who makes that determination? And more importantly, how long is this going to go on, and what will the road look like once "restored?" Will it be "passable," or will it be fully restored? Who is responsible if future repairs aren't done properly, or quickly come apart?
There's a lesson here for county commissions who are asked to assent to future transmission line road crossings.
Apparently Ameren has done something to the roadways with its heavy vehicle traffic making them "passable." Passable is a description maybe best left for third world countries. The citizens who use those roadways every day may consider "passable" to be "impassible." Who makes that determination? And more importantly, how long is this going to go on, and what will the road look like once "restored?" Will it be "passable," or will it be fully restored? Who is responsible if future repairs aren't done properly, or quickly come apart?
There's a lesson here for county commissions who are asked to assent to future transmission line road crossings.
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