As part of our nonstop work to improve safety, reliability, and affordability, Idaho Power is rebuilding six miles of transmission line along Chicken Dinner Road. The new line will improve reliability and increase the amount of power available to homes, farms, and businesses in the area.
This work will take place just west of Lake Lowell, between Lewis Lane and Darrow Lane.
We’ll replace aging wood poles with new weathered steel poles. We’ll build the new transmission line in the same general location as the existing one. To keep line working during construction, we’ll put the new poles close to the existing poles.
The steel poles will be taller than the existing wood ones to improve safety, meet modern standards, and accommodate lightning-protection equipment.
December 10, 2025 Update
Over the past few months, Idaho Power crews have been preparing spots for new poles between Lewis Lane and Lowell Road. Preparation work will continue through December and into January from Lowell Road to Darrow Lane.
Two construction crews began installing new poles in mid-November between Lewis Lane and Marsing Road. They expect to finish pole installation between Lewis Lane and Marsing Road by late December. Once that’s done, they will begin hanging wire on the new poles and, later, remove the old line. This work could lead to brief local outages. Idaho Power will notify and coordinate with all affected customers before the outages take place.
After completing the Lewis Lane-Marsing Road stretch, Idaho Power crews will work northward toward Darrow Lane and the substation on the northeast corner of Darrow and Chicken Dinner Road.
If you’re driving in area of this project, keep an eye out for traffic control and roadway restrictions during working hours. The project is on track to be completed in in late spring 2026.
Outreach
Idaho Power held a community meeting March 27, 2024 on this project. The company’s right-of-way agents might have contacted you about easements along this stretch of Chicken Dinner Road. We’ll continue to work with you through construction. We will direct our contractor to minimize impacts to traffic, farming, and businesses during construction.
Materials
Calendar
Construction details have not been finalized. Idaho Power will communicate dates and other details to affected landowners and businesses.
The line will be built in phases to reduce cost and disruptions to customers’ service.
Idaho Power expects to finish this upgrade by early 2026. We are evaluating schedule alternatives to accommodate local businesses and the community.
If you have questions, contact Jamison Loveless at jloveless@idahopower.com or 208-388-2671.
For assistance with a PDF on this page or to request a PDF in an alternate format, please contact Customer Service at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151