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1 6.0 ALTERNATIVE ROUTES CONSIDERED AND REJECTED Xcel Energy identified and analyzed four Alternative Routes for the Project, which are identified as ' "Alternative Route 1", "Alternative Route 2", "Alternative Route 3" and "Alternative Route 4" (collectively,"Alternative Routes"),and are further described below. See Figure 5. In evaluating the Alternative Routes,Xcel Energy focused predominantly on the use of Xcel Energy property and on the location of existing transportation corridors and alignment of the existing distribution and transmission lines because they best satisfy the routing criteria. The Alternative Routes follow I existing rights-of-way and property lines to the extent feasible. All of the Alternative Routes were rejected due to various routing and siting issues specific to each Alternative. Alternative Route 1 and the Proposed Route share the same route for the first 1,701 feet of the Proposed Route (see Figure 5). At this point,Alternative Route 1 deviates from the Proposed Route on a more westerly course for approximately 550 feet,where it connects to an existing Structure. ' Alternative Route 2 utilizes the portion of the Proposed Route (866 feet) prior to the Proposed Route turning westerly at the BNSF railroad right-of-way (see Figure 5). At this point Alternative Route 2 continues north an approximate 326 feet and crosses the BNSF railroad, U.S. Highway 12 and an existing Xcel Energy distribution line. Upon exiting U.S. Highway 12 right-of-way, Alternative Route 2 enters the Three Rivers Park District's Baker Park Reserve. From here I Alternative Route 2 continues westerly approximately 974 feet across Baker Park Reserve property connecting to existing Xcel Energy 115 kV transmission Line 0831. Alternative Route 2 would traverse the previously identified site 21HE0162. Evaluation of site 21HE0162, a pre-contact lithic scatter,was undertaken in 1994 as part of a cultural resources inventory for proposed improvements to U.S. Highway 12 (Mather et. al. 1995). The report authors determined that the site did not possess integrity or research potential due to extensive disturbance and no further work was recommended if the proposed highway project was constructed using the preferred alternative. Alternative Route 3 and the Proposed Route share the same route from the point the routes leave t the proposed substation expansion to approximately 1,000 feet west of the point both routes turn westerly along the BNSF right-of-way (see Figure 5). At this location Alternative Route 3 extends both to the north and to the west to make connections with Xcel Energy's existing 115 kV transmission Line 0831. The northerly connection includes a 329 foot span across the BNSF railroad and U.S. Highway 12, and enters into Baker Park Reserve property making the northern connection to transmission Line 0831 at existing Structure 76. The westerly connection of Alternative Route 3, south of the BNSF railroad and U.S. Highway 12, spans across HFA land, and for an additional approximate 384 feet to connect to Xcel Energy's existing 115 kV transmission I Line 0831 at Structure 77. Alternative Route 4 exits the proposed substation upgrade northwesterly for approximately 100 feet over Xcel Energy property before turning southeasterly for an additional approximate 160 feet. Alternative Route 4 then parallels the GRE Line BD for the remainder of the route. Alternative Orono Project Phase Ia Literature Review April,2011 1 MPUC Docket No.E002/TL-11-223 16 i