For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Oct. 18, 2006

Crews installing new transmission towers

The Eugene Water & Electric Board is installing new steel transmission towers today (Oct. 18) to replace poles that were knocked down by trees during a severe wind and hail storm in late May.

One of the two concrete poles knocked down by the uprooted trees on May 21 fell onto a home in the Quail Run development east of Autzen Stadium. The resident was not home at the time, and no one was injured. In recent weeks, EWEB also has removed several other trees to the south of the poles that could pose a hazard to the transmission line during another severe storm.

It was the first time a concrete transmission tower has been knocked down during a storm in EWEB’s service territory. The towers have been in use in Eugene for about 40 years.

In addition to replacing the fallen poles with newer and lighter steel poles, EWEB also is replacing two additional concrete poles to the east. EWEB needs to fix the transmission line by late October to maintain reliable power for the rest of the city. The transmission line is used to supply a large area of the city with electricity and connects two substations serving the Ferry Street Bridge area and other portions of east Eugene.