Helicopter to be used to trim trees along ATC power lines

A helicopter and heavy-duty air saw will be used to trim trees along ATC power lines beginning March 2, in several counties.

ATC has contracted with Aerial Solutions, Inc. to manage vegetation growth along its power line corridors. This work will be accomplished using an aerial power saw with rotary blades that is suspended from a helicopter on a 90-foot vertical boom.

Managing the growth of trees and other vegetation near power lines is important to help ensure public safety and electric system reliability. ATC performs routine vegetation management on its more than 10,000 miles of power lines in five-year cycles.

Some of the area’s work will be done in the area of: Columbia to Rockdale, crossing both Columbia and Dane counties. The Dam Heights Substation to the Dane Substation and Lodi Substation in Columbia and Sauk counties. And the La Pointe Substation to the Bloomington Substation in the village of Bloomington in Crawford and Grant counties.

Those in these areas are asked to stay a minimum of 300 feet away from the helicopter, trucks, and ground crews. All work is expected to be completed by the end of March.