the northern pass project visual simulations

Northern PassThe

Transmission Project:Visual Simulations

Northern Pass • PO Box 330 • 780 North Commercial Street • Manchester, NH 03105-0330 • 800-286-7305 • www.northernpass.us

THE NORTHERN PASS SM

MAY 2011_v2

About the Visual Simulations This booklet contains visual simulations of what The Northern Pass transmission line will look like from locations where people would potentially see it from. They were produced by LandWorks, a landscape architecture and planning firm out of Middlebury, VT, using sophisticated and industry-accepted software and software methodologies.

For each vantage point included in this booklet, we’ve provided a “before” image of what the view looks like today, and visual simulations showing what the view would look like with the inclusion of The Northern Pass transmission line using two typical industry designs: a) lattice transmission struc-tures; and b) monopole transmission structures.

Photographs were taken using a 50 to 55-milimeter lens, which registers similar to what the human eye sees. Because the eye acknowledges a 120- to 160-degree “cone of vision,” Landworks tends to add a little more to the image on the left and right sides to provide a more accurate, panoramic view.

In LandWorks’ experience, these visual simulations tend to look very close to (or exactly the same as) what the project will actually look like from these vantage points once built.

The goal of the visual simulations is not to make the project look good or bad, but to provide an objective perspective and sampling of what the project will look like from as many different vantage points as makes sense. Visual simulations typically focus on views from public vantage points rather than from individual residences.

Determining the Structure HeightsThe National Electrical Safety Code requires a minimum height for transmission structures based upon the line’s operating voltage. As a general rule, the wider a right of way the shorter a structure needed, to a point.

The majority of the preliminary preferred route for The Northern Pass uses transmission rights of way (ROW) that already exist. For the section of the route from the Canadian border to Lost Nation substation in Groveton, NH, new ROW will need to be developed. These ROW are expected to be about 150 feet wide (50 yards). A 150-foot ROW allows for the use of shorter structures for the direct-current (DC) transmission line (approximately 85 – 90 feet tall).

For the remainder of the route, from the Lost Nation substation in the north to the Deerfield substation in the south, the preferred route for The Northern Pass uses existing rights of way where transmission lines already exist. Today, the majority of the existing transmission structures in these rights of way are 45 to 75 feet tall. The majority of these existing lines operate at a voltage of 115 kV alternating current (AC). The Northern Pass will construct lines that operate at voltages of +/-300 kV DC and 345 kV AC. These higher voltages require greater height and separation for safety.

Factors to Consider when Viewing the Visual Simulations➤ Weather conditions: Landworks takes photographs for the visual simulations on days when

it’s not rainy, when they know they would be able to see the structures from the chosen vantage point. The day could be overcast or crystal clear, which is reflective of the changeable weather conditions in New Hampshire.

➤ These are static views: Note that the view simulations are static images; the viewer is fixed on the objects presented in the photograph. This is not reflective of how you would experience these views in nature, when you might be turning your head, driving, walking along a trail, etc.

➤ Vantage points: Visual simulations present a sense of what the project will look like from one specific location, at one point in time. If you were to go 50 feet in another direction, you might not see the project at all, or you might see it more directly or in a different light.

Most Common Structure Heights for The Northern PassThe anticipated height of most Northern Pass transmission structures is as follows:

➤ For the new right of way in the North Country, from the Canadian border to Groveton, NH, the most common structure height will be 85 – 90 feet.

➤ In the existing right of way between Groveton and Franklin, which currently contains an existing transmission line, the most common structure height will be 80 – 95 feet.

➤ In the existing right of way between Franklin and Deerfield, which currently contains an existing transmission line, the most common structure height will be somewhat taller, between 90 and 110 feet, because the right of way here is slightly narrower than in other sections of the route.

Taller structures are used along the route when necessary:

➤ To span larger rivers and roadways;

➤ To cross over other lines and structures;

➤ To account for changes in terrain being spanned by the line, and to maintain the clearances re-quired by the National Electrical Safety Code between the transmission wires and the ground or other nearby objects; and

➤ In select areas in the existing rights of way where the right of way is constrained and cannot be expanded to a width necessary to allow for the use of shorter structures

THE NORTHERN PASS SM

Visual Simulations

The Northern Pass Transmission Project

1Prepared by LandWorks • 228 Maple St. Suite 32, Middlebury, Vermont • 802.388.3011 • www.landworksvt.com • [email protected]

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Visual SimulationsNorthern Pass Transmission Project

Location MapBurns Pond, WhitefieldCatamount Pond, AllenstownDeerfield Town Hall, Deerfield Forest Lake Road, WhitefieldLakeshore Drive, Webster Lake, FranklinOak Hill Fire Tower, LoudonThe Rocks Estate, BethlehemTripoli Road, WoodstockTurtle Pond, ConcordVeteran’s Memorial, HillWeeks State Park, LancasterWest Road, Canterbury

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Table of Contents

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Visual Simulation Location Map

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Veteran's Memorial, Hill

Burns Pond, Whitefield

Weeks State Park, Lancaster

The Rocks Estate, Bethlehem

Catamount Pond, AllenstownDeerfield Town Hall, Deerfield

Oak Hill Fire Tower, Loudon

West Road, Canterbury

Tripoli Road, Woodstock

Lakeshore Drive, Webster Lake, Franklin

Turtle Pond, Concord

Forest Lake Road, Whitefield

Legend

!( Visual Simulation Location

Preferred Route

NH State Boundary

[0 10 205Miles


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Visual Simulation from Burns Pond, WhitefieldNorthern Pass Transmission Project

4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View

Simulation is based upon a preliminary design. Exact structure height, location and color will be finalized during the detail design and permitting process.

Note:

Transmission Line Information

Proposed structure type: HVDC, horizontal tangent

Height range of proposed transmission structures (visible): 90’ - 95’

Height range of existing transmission structures (visible): 43’ - 52’

Right of way width 265’, no additional width required

Photograph Information Date and time: 4/22/11; 1:15pm

Location: Burns Pond, Whitefield; facing South/ West 44.359˚ N, -71.635˚ W

Camera elevation above sea level: 1,123’ (342.3m)

Simulation viewing distance: 11” (27.9 cm) Focal length (35mm equivalent): 56mm

Weather conditions: Partly sunny

Technical Information Software: Nemetschek VectorWorks 2008; SketchUp Pro 7; Adobe Photoshop CS5

Digital elevation data source: USGS National Elevation Dataset 1/3 Arc-Second (NED 1/3)

Simulation Information

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Proposed structure type: HVDC horizontal tangent

Simulation: New structure option -- Lattice

Simulation: New structure option -- Monopole


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Visual Simulation from Catamount Pond, AllenstownNorthern Pass Transmission Project


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4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location MapTransmission Line Information

Proposed structure type: 345kV, vertical tangent

Height range of proposed transmission structures (visible): None visible

Height range of existing transmission structures (visible): None visible



Location: Deerfield Rd, Catamount Pond, Allenstown; facing North/ East 44.169˚ N, -71.388˚ W

Camera elevation above sea level: 310’ (94.5m)


Weather conditions: Sunny




Today’s View

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Note: Maximum height of proposed structures is below existing tree line and hidden from this view.

Max. structure height


Simulation: New structure option -- Lattice or Monopole


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Visual Simulation from Deerfield Town Hall, DeerfieldNorthern Pass Transmission Project

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4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:


Proposed structure type: 345kV, AC, vertical tangent

Height range of proposed transmission structures (visible): 130’




Location: Deerfield Rd. at Town Hall, Deerfield; facing West 43.133˚ N, -71.243˚ W



Weather conditions: Sunny with some clouds




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Visual Simulation from Forest Lake Road, WhitefieldNorthern Pass Transmission Project

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4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:




Height range of existing transmission structures (visible): 43’ - 56.5’



Location: Forest Lake Road, Whitefield; facing South/West 43.133˚ N, -71.242˚ W



Weather conditions: Sunny with some clouds




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Visual Simulation from Lakeshore Drive, Webster Lake, FranklinNorthern Pass Transmission Project

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Franklin

Andover

Tilton

Sanbornton

Sanbornton

4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:


Proposed structure type: HVDC horizontal and vertical tangent





Location: Lakeshore Drive, Webster Lake, Franklin; facing South/East 43.477˚ N, -71.697˚ W



Weather conditions: Cloudy




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Proposed structure type: HVDC horizontal and vertical tangent




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Visual Simulation from Oak Hill Fire Tower, LoudonNorthern Pass Transmission Project

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View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:





Right of way width 257’6”, no additional width required


Location: Oak Hill Fire Tower, Loudon; facing West/South 43.477˚ N, -71.510˚ W



Weather conditions: Overcast




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Visual Simulation from Tree and Mountain Overlook, The Rocks Estate, BethlehemNorthern Pass Transmission Project

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4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:







Location: Tree and Mountain Overlook, The Rocks Estate, Bethlehem; facing North/East 43.282˚ N, -71.733˚ W







Existing power plant

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Visual Simulation from Tripoli Road, WoodstockNorthern Pass Transmission Project

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Woodstock

Thornton

Unorganized Territory

4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:





Right of way width 225’, no additional width required, 75’ of clearing within existing ROW required


Location: Tripoli Road (near exit 31), Woodstock; facing North 43.989˚ N, -71.673˚ W



Weather conditions: Overcast




Existing communications structure

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Visual Simulation from Turtle Pond, ConcordNorthern Pass Transmission Project

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View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:





Right of way width 257’-6”


Location: Off Oak Hill Rd (Turtle Pond), Concord; facing South 43.255˚ N, -71.521˚ W



Weather conditions: Cloudy




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Visual Simulation from Veteran’s Memorial, HillNorthern Pass Transmission Project

4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:


Proposed structure type: HVDC, horizontal tangent

Height range of proposed transmission structures (visible): None Visible

Height range of existing transmission structures (visible): None Visible

Right of way width 175’, expanded width 225’


Location: Veteran’s memorial, Hill; Facing West 43.522˚ N, -71.701˚ W

Camera elevation above sea level: 445’ (135.6 m)







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Note: Maximum height of proposed structures is below existing tree line and hidden from this view.




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Visual Simulation from Weeks State Park, LancasterNorthern Pass Transmission Project

4000’ 0’ 2000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:


Proposed structure type: HVDC, vertical tangent, & 115kV, vertical/delta tangent (relocated)




Photograph Information Date and time: 03/30/11; 10:35 am

Location: East overlook at Weeks State Park, Lancaster; facing East; 44.450˚ N, -71.568˚ W



Weather conditions: Bright overcast




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Proposed structure type: HVDC, vertical tangent & 115kV, vertical/delta tangent (relocated)




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Boscawen

Concord

Visual Simulation from West Road, CanterburyNorthern Pass Transmission Project

6000’ 0’ 3000’

View Location Map

Today’s View


Note:


Proposed structure type: 345kV, AC, delta tangent, lattice or monopole (right side) & 115kV delta (center)

Height range of proposed transmission structures (visible):74.5’ - 100’



Photograph Information Date and time: 04/03/11; 12:34 pm

Location: West Road, Canterbury; facing South/East; 43.335˚ N, -71.601˚ W







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Proposed structure type: 345kV, AC, delta tangent (right side) & 115kV delta (center)



Relocated structures

Existing structures

Relocated structures

Existing structures

the northern pass project visual simulations

Technology

adobe photoshop

weeks state

existing power

lost nation

technical

photograph

proposed structure

allenstowndeerfield