Repairing Power Lines From The Air

Wednesday, January 17th 2007, 11:23 am

By: News On 6

Some power line repair crews are working up in the air. An elite repair team is working at the top of ice covered transmission towers at Muskogee, cutting away lines that came apart and fell onto other power lines.

Two helicopter crews are working on OG&E transmission lines near the power plant. They're the top priority because they can carry power for thousands of homes, but are shut down while the lines are tangled.

Haverfield Corporation foreman Bill McAllister: â€œthey're having an awful time getting their equipment around and of course the towers are covered with ice, they're unsafe to climb and that's why we're here."

After just a half hour of work, part of the line was useable again. The crew has dozens of miles of lines needing work and with another storm predicted - they're assuming they'll be needed for several weeks.