Elcona Expansion and Transmission Line Project

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) representatives plan power grid upgrades in Elkhart, Indiana. The Elcona Expansion and Transmission Line Project involves expanding a substation and building 2.3 miles of transmission line to enhance electric reliability for area customers.

The project includes:

Expanding and upgrading Elcona Substation on Middlebury Street.
Building 2.3 miles of new 138-kilovolt transmission line to connect Elcona Substation to an existing transmission line.
Retiring approximately .5 miles of existing transmission line.

Company representatives evaluate potential power line routes by defining study segments. Study segments are multiple alternatives presented to determine a line route. Representatives do not build every segment. Instead, they select a series of segments to form a proposed route based on public feedback and feasibility studies.

The project helps meet the area's growing power demand, improves electric system reliability and replaces aging equipment.

Project Updates

Spring 2026: Company representatives have determined a proposed line route after reviewing input from landowners and community members, environmental impacts and land use. A formal line route announcement was mailed on in March 2026 to all landowners within the study area. Directly involved property owners can expect to hear about next steps from ROW Agent, O.R. Colan and Associates (ORC), the right-of-way contractor representing Indiana Michigan Power. If you have any questions, you may contact the following right-of-way agent: Justin Books at jbooks@orcolan.com, and at 260-918-0801.

Field Surveys and Engineering will begin Spring 2026.

Construction on the Substation will begin Fall 2027.

Early 2026: Company representatives announced the Elcona Expansion and Transmission Line Project. If you would like to learn more about the project and our process, please visit the Virtual Open House.

The virtual open house will be held on this project beginning March 6, 2026. Comments will be accepted on the proposed study segments through March 27, 2026.