Versant crews rebuild six miles of transmission infrastructure in St. John Valley

Presque Isle, ME- This week, Versant Power crews completed construction on a project to replace six miles of line and equipment from Van Buren to Hamlin. Poles and structures along the route were built more than sixty years ago and were reaching end of life from rot.

“Versant inspectors conducted drone footage along the line, which showed significant pole damage,” said Project Manager Sonny Sirois. “We see many examples of the cross arms sagging, and in some cases, grass is even growing in them.”

(Above, left: Drone footage of a rotted pole, Right: Drone footage of a sagged cross arm with grass growing in it)

To prevent these structures from failing and causing power disruptions, the rebuild process began with design planning by Versant engineers. Meanwhile, Versant right of way agents worked with property owners along the route to obtain permission to drive to the site and transport bog mats, which allow equipment to travel over wetlands.

(Above, left: Crews work on bog mats to enter and work in wetlands. 3,000 mats were used on this project, Right: A Versant line worker uses a measuring stick before a pole is set in the hole)

Once the bog mats were set this May, crews from the Presque Isle division began setting taller poles alongside the old ones. 130 total poles, each weighing about 5,000 pounds and standing over 70 feet high, were replaced using excavators with special attachments.

“The new poles are larger to support heavier and more resilient cross arms and wire,” said Sirois, “This makes the work physically demanding and requires special equipment.”

Taller and larger equipment is more difficult to install but has benefits for landowners. Farmers benefit from increased land clearance for using large farm equipment. Crews leave the workspace better than they found it, replanting grass and improving access roads throughout the project.

Once the poles were set, crews installed wooden X braces to support the poles, a feature that was not included in the original build. Then, steel cross arms were installed to hold the new lines. As each section was rebuilt, crews demolished the old equipment.

In August, crews worked to remove the old wire, replace it, and clip it into position at each new structure. This week, the line was tested and energized.

The six-mile rebuild is phase one of a multi-step process to rebuild more of the line, which spans from Madawaska to Limestone, through 2030.

(Above: Crews use a tracked bucket truck to install X brace supports on the poles)