As part of its ongoing commitment to infrastructure modernization, Mississippi public power utility Starkville Utilities began a major pole replacement project in June.
The proactive upgrade targets a critical service corridor and is a direct result of the utility’s comprehensive, multi-year pole inspection program, it noted.
“Maintaining a reliable electric system starts with understanding the condition of the infrastructure that supports it,” Edward Kemp, General Manager of the utility, told Public Power Current. “This pole inspection initiative allows us to proactively identify the condition of our wood pole assets, improve our system records and use that information to prioritize future replacements and improvements. These efforts are an important part of our continued commitment to providing safe, reliable service for our customers.”
Crews will replace aging utility poles that were previously identified for upgrades to ensure the long-term safety, resilience and reliability of the local electric grid. Work is scheduled to run from June 1 through July 31.
The major pole replacement project will occur along Louisville Street in Starkville. Because Louisville Street is a heavily traveled corridor with limited roadside clearance, project managers strategically scheduled the work for the summer months to minimize impacts on school-related traffic.
“This project represents the transition from inspection to action,” said Kemp in a news release. “Over the past two years, we have systematically evaluated our infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities before they cause service issues. Replacing these aged poles on Louisville Street is a vital step in strengthening our system reliability for the families and businesses who depend on us.”
Starkville Utilities noted that it has developed a comprehensive traffic control plan to keep both motorists and working crews safe.
The infrastructure initiative stems from Starkville Utilities' citywide inspection program launched two years ago in partnership with Osmose Utilities Services Inc.
The final phase of those proactive field audits, which concluded this spring, successfully inventoried and evaluated thousands of poles to identify necessary hardware and line upgrades.
“Our inspection data clearly showed which poles along this corridor were reaching the end of their service life,” said Jason Horner, electric system engineer for Starkville Utilities. “By proactively replacing them now, we are significantly hardening the local grid and reducing the risk of future, unplanned outages. It’s all about maintaining a resilient system that can handle everyday demands and severe weather alike.”
Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.
