LINCOLN COUNTY — In early December 2011, a heavy wind storm in eastern Nevada damaged certain structures constructed and installed for the One Nevada Transmission project.

According to Cory Lytle, Lincoln County Building Department director, several of the V-shaped towers suffered cracks in some of the welds at the top of the structures due to vibrations caused by the high winds. He said in some cases, the cross bars on the top of the structures had been visibly dislodged and others needed a close inspection with a crane bucket to assess damage.

Mark Severts, NV Energy public communications director, wrote in an email that shortly before Christmas one structure did fall down somewhere north of U.S. Highway 93 in Lincoln County and the owners directed construction workers, in keeping with their safety and precautionary standards, to begin laying down certain other damaged structures until an assessment of the situation could be completed.

Lytle said after inspections were made it “was determined this particular type of V design needed some modification. The wind vibrations created an effect on the welds that could not be sustained, even with the weight of the power line cables.”

He said wind tunnel and engineering tests were to be conducted on the towers’ design to modify the structure without having to completely revamp the design.

Severts said work is continuing in other areas along the power line corridor that were not affected by the high winds. Cement pads are still being built and alignment studies are being conducted as the project moves southward.

Lytle said he thought the delay was really a blessing in disguise.

“It’s a lot cheaper to have them tip over now than later.”

DAVE MAXWELL  |  LINCOLN COUNTY RECORD