PLAINFIELD, Ind. –Keeping the lights on for customers requires constant monitoring of everything from the stations that generate the electricity to the infrastructure that reliably transports that power to each customer.
Utility poles are an important part of that infrastructure.
“It’s critical that we regularly inspect and evaluate the condition and integrity of our utility poles,” said Rick Burger, government and community relations manager for Vigo County. “Other utility companies, such as phone and cable, also depend on those same poles to deliver their services to customers.”
Starting around March 21, Duke Energy crews, including contract crews, will begin a six-month inspection, evaluation and replacement project for more than 13,500 utility poles in an area roughly bounded by:
- Third Street on the west
- Hasselburger Avenue, including Old Terre Haute, on the north
- Rose-Hulman campus, including State Road 46, on the east
- Just north of Hulman Street on the south
“We want to thank our customers in advance for their patience and understanding during this construction period. This project will help us maintain a high level of reliable electric service for our customers,” Burger said, who added that this is one of many reliability and integrity programs Duke Energy conducts throughout its service territory to maintain its infrastructure.
For any utility pole that needs to be replaced, Duke Energy crews, or its contract crews, will knock on the doors of all customers who get their electric service from that pole, notifying them that their service may be temporarily interrupted during the pole replacement work. If no one answers the door, crews will leave a door hanger to let customers know about the work that was done.
Much of this inspection and replacement work will take place along streets and roads, so motorists should be especially watchful and slow down when passing a utility work crew. It may be necessary to halt traffic for brief periods to accommodate the work being done. Also, work crews may need to cut into streets and sidewalks to make the pole replacement process as safe and efficient as possible.
About Duke Energy Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana’s operations provide about 7,500 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 810,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state’s largest electric supplier.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
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