A new, but temporary, road is being dug in parts of West Columbia.

The addition is part of SCE&G’s effort to rebuild its lines to transmit power from the nuclear reactors being constructed at its station in Fairfield County.

Part of the road is being constructed behind Providence Presbyterian Church, off of Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia. The new path runs across Botanical Parkway. A company representative explained.

“This work is part of SCE&G’s new nuclear construction at V.C. Summer Station (Jenkinsville in Fairfield County.) To prepare to serve customers with the electricity that will be generated at V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3, we are adding 320 miles of new transmission and rebuilding 220 circuit miles of existing transmission lines all on existing rights-of-way. These lines run from our new nuclear construction site in Jenkinsville all the way to Summerville, S.C., said Ginny Jones. a senior public affairs specialist for SCANA, SCE&G’s parent company.

Jones said the gravel pathways in West Columbia are being “created for temporary construction site access.” She said access paths are built “to prevent erosion or improper storm water drainage.”

“The paths will remain in place until the work in that area is completed, after which time we will clear them away,” Jones said. “We expect we will be finished with work in this area of West Columbia in mid-2017.”

Jones said SCE&G’s new nuclear construction, and the related electric line construction work, are part of the plan to provide for the future energy needs of customers and to provide a clean energy future for South Carolina.

She also provided a link to a website with information about SCE&G’s new nuclear project: SCE&G Nuclear Info Site