If you lose power this spring, it won’t necessarily be because you didn’t pay your bill.
BC Hydro workers are scheduled to replace 285 power poles in North Vancouver before the end of the year.
Most of the poles were installed in the 1960s and 1970s, according to a release from BC Hydro.
“After about 40 – 50 years of work, on average, they are ready to retire,” noted the release.
There will be some pole replacements in West Vancouver as well, but likely fewer than 50, according to Mora Scott with BC Hydro media relations.
Weather, insects and wildlife “contribute to the deterioration of the poles,” according to the release.
The effort is part of a program designed to replace approximately 10,000 wooden distribution poles throughout B.C. this spring.
The replacement aims to “improve the safety and reliability” of the system, according to BC Hydro.
If workers plan to cut power, customers will be told in person, by mail, or phone, according to the release.
Customers can report power outages at 1-800-224-9376. A map recording outages in real time is available at bchydro.com/power-outages/app/outage-map.html.
BC Hydro maintains a network of approximately 900,000 wooden poles buttressing 58,000 kilometres of power lines.
– Jeremy Shepherd
