Story Created:
Feb 22, 2007 at 8:23 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Feb 22, 2007 at 8:38 PM AKDT
Chugach Electric is replacing some towers along the Susitna River that fell down last August during heavy flooding.
The floods caused a pair of towers to fall into Dynamite Slough west of Anchorage. The company is putting in six new towers that are designed to withstand any future flooding in the area. The towers support three transmission lines that carry Chugach's power from the plant at Beluga into Anchorage and the Mat-Su.
Engineers couldn't get started on the project until this winter, when the ground and rivers were frozen over. Officials say they can't remember the last time Chugach had a problem this severe with any of its towers.
Patti Bogan, Chugach Electric spokesperson, said, "It's been some time. I really don't know exactly, but we have had structures that have had problems. I don't recall if we've had one actually fall in the river before."
Shawn Wendling, project engineer, Chugach Electric, said, "We started building the ice road approximately December 16th. Started driving pile about a month later on the 18th of January. And Northern Powerline Constructors, our contractor, should be finished installing the structures probably the first week in March."
The total cost of the project will be between $5 and $6 million. Power should not be interrupted at any point during the installation.
