Proponents of a high-voltage power line have announced they have chosen the preferred route for the controversial project.

Epcor Utilities and AltaLink submitted their application Monday to the Alberta Utilities Commission for the Heartland Transmission Project.

The $580 million project would tap into existing power lines in south Edmonton, then run northward above-ground along the eastern boundary of the city.

The 500-kilovolt line will move electricity from existing power lines to a massive industrial area near Fort Saskatchewan called the Heartland region.

The project has been assailed by people living near the proposed route. They want the line buried to reduce the impact on human health and property values.

But Epcor said burying the line would cost too much — twice as much as above-ground lines.

Best option for landowners: Epcor

Guy Bridgeman, a senior vice president with Epcor, said the proposed route is the best option for landowners.

It uses an existing utilities corridor and will have the least impact on homes, farms and the environment. The route is not only the cheapest option but also the shortest, Epcor and AltaLink have said.

“So we really only have to work with landowners about half of the route, about 34 kilometres, we think that's a strong advantage and because it's shorter it is a less expensive cost,” he said Tuesday.

“In this day and age of expensive infrastructure, if we can meet the same purpose of lower cost than that’s a strength.”

But opponents of the project said they have hired a lawyer and plan to continue to fight the proposa.

"This is theatre. The outcome was known a long time ago," said Bruce Johnson, president of Responsible Electrical Transmission for Albertans. "Why are we fighting it? Because we intend to win."

The provincial utilities commission will review the application this winter. If approved, construction will begin next year.