PG&E tower work underway

By The Pioneer 10 years ago

PGE Helicopter_for websitePacific Gas and Electric Company will be working in Clayton through the end of the month to upgrade a major electric power line.
The utility will use helicopters to lower the tower extension and pull the new wires across the top of the towers. The helicopter work is expected to take one day per tower. All towers between Antioch and Moraga will be raised.
“Using helicopters reduces the need for heavy trucks and equipment on the ground, lessening the project’s environmental impacts in the area,” says PG&E representative Brian Swanson.
Swanson addressed the Clayton City Council at the March 17 meeting in preparation for starting the work.
Several council members expressed concern about the drop-off and pick-up traffic around Mt. Diablo Elementary in the morning and afternoon. “Traffic around the school is a nightmare,” said Councilwoman Julie Pierce. “We can’t have Pine Hollow and Mitchell Canyon blocked at the same time.”
Swanson and others on the project have met with MDES principal Irene Keenan to plan mitigation efforts.
“There are no road closures planned around the school,” said Swanson. And all work around the school will start after 9 a.m. and be finished by 3 p.m. Traffic directors will be provided, if needed, Swanson added.
The project, which started early this year in Antioch, will result in the upgrade of approximately 27 miles of 40-year-old power line and electric transmission towers between Antioch and Moraga. All towers in Clayton will be affected with construction occurring at or near:

•    Windmill Canyon Dr. near Molluk Way
•    Kelok Way
•    Oakhurst Country Club near Oakhurst Dr. and Indianhead Way
•    Clayton Rd. near Mitchell Canyon Rd.
•    Pine Hollow Rd and Atchinson Stage Rd.
•    Ironwood Way near Froyd Rd.

A typical construction window is Sunday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Dates and hours are approximate, however, and depend on wind, weather and other factors.

PG&E expects to complete the 27-mile project by summer 2016.

For more information or questions about the Clayton construction, call Denise Conway (415) 314-7953 or email D3CU@pge.com.

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