Just in, an “interesting” letter from WisDOT about impacts on the Great River Road National Scenic Byway of CapX 2020’s proposed Hampton-Rochester-LaCrosse line.  WisDOT says that under Federal Highway Administration (FHWA …  what’s the W for?) rules they don’t think they can issue a permit for the “Q-1” route along the Scenic Byway.   They’ve asked the feds for confirmation on that.

Secretary’s Letter to FHWA – November 22, 2011

From that letter, the punch line:

Therefore, WisDOT believes that it cannot authorize exceptions to issue utility permits in WIS 35 R/W, nor authorize use of, or direct impacts to or conflicts with its scenic easements in the BRRNSB viewshed for a new aboveground electric transmission line.

What more is there to say?  But check out the attachments, the federal rules and some viewshed photos.