Radnor Heights Transmission and Substation Design and Architectural Services

Powering a Historic Military Installation

As Fort Myer is a National Historic Landmark, the two-story substation met strict parameters for architectural design, with a brick façade that matches nearby buildings, a precast cornice resembling limestone, and gray faux slate roofing elements.

This project included four miles of underground 230 kV transmission line running throughout Arlington and Fort Myer.

Community participation was instrumental to the project’s success. At public meetings, we used digital 3-D imagery to depict the installation of the underground utilities and showcased how it would not interfere with existing infrastructure.

We also used renderings of the proposed substation to illustrate how the facility—with screen structures to block views of the equipment while allowing for proper ventilation—fits into the community.

Owner/Client: Dominion Virginia Power
Location: Arlington, VA
Services: Engineering, Planning, Consulting, and Advisory, Environmental

Markets: Energy, Federal
Completed: 2013
Region: Mid-Atlantic

In order to increase reliability of electrical service at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and surrounding neighborhoods, we installed a new transmission line and electrical substation, ensuring that Dominion Virginia Power continues to meet North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards.

Located on federal and state property, and along public roadways, the transmission line and substation required numerous permits and approvals, addressing issues ranging from environmental compliance to historic preservation. Working closely with Dominion, we coordinated with the base’s department of public works and other agencies including NERC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Pentagon, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the U.S. Fine Arts Commission, the National Parks Service, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Capital Planning Commission, Arlington County, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

miles underground 230 kV transmission line