Agnew Tram Maintenance and Replacement Planned to Start Mid-June

Agnew Tram Maintenance and Replacement Planned to Start Mid-June
Release Date: Jun 5, 2013
Contact(s): Dan Brady of SCE at 760-9244811, Sheila Irons, Inyo National Forest Lands Specialist, at 760-924-5534

Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Inyo National Forest announce that work to replace the SCE tram system, located within the Rush Creek drainage (southwest of Silver Lake in the June Lake area) will commence in mid-June, 2013. This tram system provides transportation to SCE’s hydroelectric facilities that SCE operates under a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. The project is located within the Mono Lake Ranger District of Inyo National Forest. This tram is an incline railroad system that was originally constructed in 1915. SCE is replacing the tram for increased safety and reliability. Currently, the tram utilizes a hoist and cable system to pull a flatbed car. The new tram system will eliminate the hoist and cable system. Instead, the track will be replaced to accommodate a self-propelled diesel powered cart.

Initial work will entail repairs to a section of the tram track near the hiking/stock trail which accesses the Rush Creek drainage, followed by construction along the entire tram track. Depending on weather conditions, this maintenance and repair work is expected to be completed in late October 2013. Due to limited access to the project area, it will be necessary for SCE to use helicopters to remove and install much of the material, as well as to transport personnel and equipment. The heaviest helicopter use will occur from July 10, 2013 to September 9, 2013. Although helicopter use will be limited as much as possible, visitors and residents should expect about 25 helicopter flights per day. The maximum number of flights for any one day will be 48.

The project will take approximately 180 days to complete with a work week to include Saturdays and Sundays in an effort to complete this project in the short time window constrained by High Sierra weather. Hikers and packers can expect some short delays on the trail, but the trail will remain open to the public. The June Lake Ski Area parking lot will be used as a staging area for this operation.

The Inyo National Forest and Southern California Edison appreciate the public’s cooperation while this important maintenance and repair work progresses. For more information please contact Dan Brady of SCE at 760-924-4811 or Sheila Irons, Inyo National Forest Lands Specialist, at 760-924-5534