The Carbon County Planning Commission has given its approval for a power line rebuild skirting the southeastern edge of Palmerton and running through Carbon and Lehigh counties.

During last week’s meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed and approved an application from Kyle M. Spayd, manager of site engineering design at Louis Berger in Exton, for the Siegfried-East Palmerton No. 1 and No. 2 138/69 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project.

The project consists of removing, replacing and installing 6.9 miles of the existing line.

“PPL has determined that the existing equipment has reached the end of its useful life and require upgrades in order to increase electric reliability within the region. … PPL intends to install the new steel transmission structures as close as feasible to the existing poles as practicable,” the project description reads.

PPL spokesman Kurt Blumenau said that full construction work is set to begin in August of this year.

“In terms of the work that we’re doing on that line right now, mostly it’s core boring, where we go in and take samples to prepare for building foundations,” Blumenau said.

Residents will not have to worry about any interference from construction, Palmerton Borough manager Rodger Danielson said.

“It doesn’t really impact our commercial or residential areas. It goes along the base of the mountain on the other side of the Aquashicola Creek, along the hill above our water well. It’s well out of any business impact areas,” Danielson said.