Rhinedollar Overhead Powerline Rebuild

Rhinedollar Overhead Powerline Rebuild
Release Date: Jun 29, 2012 Bishop, CA
Contact(s): Nancy Upham

Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Inyo National Forest, would like to announce that work to rebuild the Rhinedollar Overhead Powerline in Lee Vining Canyon will commence around the middle of of July and depending on weather conditions, is expected to be completed in early October. The project is located within the Mono Lake Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest.

This rebuild is necessary to meet current State and safety standards, as well as provide increased reliability to the customers served by this line, which includes the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park. Replacement of these towers would start near the Ellery Lake Dam and continue down canyon terminating at the Poole Power Plant. The rebuild project involves replacing 12 existing steel lattice structures with new tubular steel poles. The new poles will support an upgraded 12 kilovolt distribution circuit, as well as a new fiber optic line which will be used for internal SCE communications related to the hydroelectric project located in Lee Vining Canyon.

Because of limited access to the project structures, it will be necessary for SCE to use helicopters to remove and install all material, as well as to transport personnel and equipment.The project will take approximately 90 days to complete with a work week that includes Saturdays and Sundays due to the short window of time to complete the project. Visitors can expect some limited traffic control related to this project.

The Inyo National Forest and Southern California Edison appreciate the public’s cooperation while this work progresses.

For more information please contact Sheila Irons, Inyo National Forest Lands Specialist, at 760-924-5534.

I guess they're telling us we're in for a summer of drivers staring at helicopters rather than the road while driving down Tioga Pass.

Quote
ttilley
I guess they're telling us we're in for a summer of drivers staring at helicopters rather than the road while driving down Tioga Pass.

That and loud helicopters.

Looked like this helicopter was working on it last week.