ATHENS – An advisory has been issued for people living near Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
Ignore the beehive of activity near the facility. Don’t be alarmed by the presence of divers or the large equipment arriving by barges and trucks being delivered for construction in the area, but rather get used to the sights.
It’s all part of a Tennessee Valley Association operation that began Monday for a structural restoration process of eight transmission river towers. The work should wrap up December 2025.
The purpose is to restore strength to the foundation piles at the base of the structures lost due to corrosion. The project will improve the pile concrete encasements and extend the life of the foundations.
“These towers have been in service since 1967,” said Nick McElvain, TVA Senior Project Manager. “They are a vital link in our transmission system and have performed well for almost 60 years. This project will repair the damage time has inflicted on the tower foundations.
“We expect this effort will extend their life significantly to ensure we continue providing reliable electricity to our customers for years to come.”
TVA reports the region’s population growth is three times higher than the national rate. To prepare for growth, TVA said it is investing $2.8 billion in transmission system improvements through 2027 and working to build the energy grid of the future to provide reliable, affordable, resilient, and clean energy.
For more information about TVA and its mission of service to the Tennessee Valley, visit
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