The Junction City – Geary County Metropolitan Planning Commission has recommended approval on a conditional use permit for  proposed new Westar Energy substation in southeast Geary County.

The proposal now goes to the county commission for final consideration.

Dave Pack, project manager for Westar, said if the approval is obtained there Westar Energy will then purchase the property adjacent to Hawkinsmith Road and begin design work.

“We won’t be starting any work out there to move dirt at the earliest until like the spring of 2016.”

The construction period on the project is estimated at two-and-a-half years, with completion due by June 1, 2017.  The cost estimate on the project is $64.6 million.  As part of the construction an estimated 30,000 yards of rock would have to be hauled to the site. That equates to about 1,700 truck loads.

There will be an agreement where Westar Energy would repair any damage to roads. The MPC has attached a requirement that dust control procedures also be used on the haul roads during the construction.