Low

By WCCO Staff

Updated on: July 13, 2023 / 3:44 PM / CBS Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- If you see helicopters flying close to the ground in St. Paul for the next several weeks, there's an explanation.

According to city officials, Xcel Energy contractors on Monday began transmission line maintenance work in the city, which is expected to last around a month. The project is utilizing a helicopter to lift parts - and workers in some cases - for work along the north side of the Canadian Pacific Railroad tracks, between High Bridge and Merriam Park Substations.

"Seeing a low-flying helicopter, even one with material or people hanging from it, is expected," St. Paul Emergency Management said in a tweet.

⚠️Today @XcelEnergyMN contractors will begin transmission line maintenance work in @cityofsaintpaul. This project is expected to last approx. 4 weeks. It will use a helicopter to lift parts and even people, and will land at and use @SaintPaulParks Linwood Recreation Center. pic.twitter.com/oOW0nJGkFS

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The helicopter is expected to make multiple trips along that transmission line in order to replace the non-energized "shield wire" on top of the 115-kilovolt transmission line. The work is meant to help prevent electric faults and outages that lightning can cause. The wire can also alert operators to issues that could require maintenance.

According to an Xcel Energy representative Theo Keith, using helicopters in situations like this is more efficient and faster than using ground-based equipment. While helicopter use for this type of work has become more common over the last decade, most Xcel Energy work is done from ground-based equipment.

"The use of helicopters also minimizes impact from construction activities to property owners and the general public who live and work near the transmission line," Keith said.

As for the workers who have been seen being lifted by helicopters, Keith says they are "highly trained and specialized journey line workers who have trained specifically to work from helicopters to work from helicopters and safely install and maintain transmission equipment while airborne."

While not being used for the transmission line work, the helicopter will be landing at the Linwood Recreation Center and a parking lot at Concordia College.

Some temporary road closures may be needed while work is ongoing.

More information can be found on the St. Paul Emergency Management website.

The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com.

First published on July 13, 2023 / 1:15 PM

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