Power pylons to be removed from Silverstream subdivision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 January 2015

Power pylons to be removed from Silverstream residential subdivision – work starts Thursday, January 29 at 9.30am

Four large pylons and the overhead power lines that cross the Silverstream residential subdivision in Clarkville will start to be removed on Thursday (January 29) and completed a day later as the final step in undergrounding the power lines.

The $4million plus project has been seven years in the planning. The work is being carried out by Transpower in conjunction with H Investments with the new lines having been placed underground on the eastern side of Island Road, outside of the residential areas of Silverstream Estate.

Fred Rahme, of H Investments, said the project has certainly had its challenges and required considerable planning to ensure its success.

“Although signage has been placed throughout the sub division stating that the power lines will be removed, people do not believe this will happen until they see that they are no longer standing. We are looking forward to the successful completion of this project and the honouring of the commitment we made to our residents and others to have these removed,” he said.

It is believed that this is the first time a developer has paid for the removal of power pylons on this scale in the South Island.

“It’s wonderful to see it coming to fruition. There are a great mixture of people living at Silverstream and the removal of the pylons will make it an even better place to live,” he said.

There are two circuits that provide supply at all times. If one line breaks down, the other line ensures supply is maintained.

Transpower’s project manager, Simon Tucker, said that although these types of projects may seem simple, a huge amount of time and effort from a large team has been spent on delivering the project, while ensuring the security of the power supply into Kaiapoi is maintained.

The cables were installed in buried ducts surrounded by thermal backfill approximately two metres deep. Each of the two circuits have three 90mm thick, 800m long high voltage cables, and an earth wire for lightning and surge protection.

ENDS

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