12 July 2023
If you see someone rappelling out of a helicopter onto a St. Paul transmission line, don’t mistake it for a scene from “Mission Impossible.”
Xcel Energy contractors on Monday began replacing shield wires on existing transmission lines between the Merriam Park substation and the High Bridge substation, according to an announcement this week from St. Paul Emergency Management. The shielding protects against lightning strikes.
The project is expected to last four weeks — sometimes using the helicopter to lift parts and people from a landing site near the Linwood Recreation Center.
Xcel Energy contractors sometimes using a helicopter began replacing shield wires on transmission lines between the Merriam Park substation and the High Bridge substation on Monday, July 10, 2023, according to St. Paul Emergency Management. Workers are shown here on Tuesday. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Xcel Energy transmission line upgrades that began Monday, July 10, 2023, were expected to last four weeks. A helicopter will sometimes be pressed into service to lift parts and people from a landing site near the Linwood Recreation Center. Workers are shown here on Tuesday. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
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