Can we lay walking track under the High Tension electrical transmision cable systems?

Answer 1

Please update your question for a better definition of the "walking track".

In the mean time, I think you might be asking, "Can we build a walking path on the ground along a transmission line?"

Yes, there is no real problem installing a bike path or walking path in the transmission right-of-way. I know of several locations where the electric utilities have worked with local park districts to get these built. One even had various "work-out" stations along the route.

It actually can become a "win-win" for everyone. The public gets a place to walk and bike without vehicle traffic, and the electric utility gets a path that makes patrolling the lines far easier.

The utility generally will be looking for a path suitable for their repair vehicles. Where the path crosses roads, they often install removable barriers so they can drive to the towers when making repairs.

Any metallic fences or railings along the path will need to be grounded so they don't build up a static charge under the line. This is the same thing farmers do when the transmission lines go through their fields.


Roughly 20 years ago there was a big issue with health concerns related to the EMF fields from the transmission lines. Since then, those concerns have been largely discredited by the scientific community.

Personally I'd love to have more biking and walking paths in my town. Transmission line rights-of-way are a great opportunity. They are reasonably straight paths and generally go for long distances.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what walking track is but I assume that if you are concerned then some part of it is conductive. If this is the case I would suggest grounding one end of the track.