All lines crews on hand for Ōtorohanga CBD line work

29 October 2018

After several months work in the northern and western parts of town, The Lines Company’s (TLC) $1.2 million line upgrade is moving into Ōtorohanga’s central business area.

On Sunday 4 November power will be off to a significant part of the town’s main street, CBD and surrounding areas from 7.00am to 5.30pm while line mechanics work on lines, replacing poles and cross-arms. Some areas will also be without power from 6.30am to 7.30am, and again from 5.00pm to 6.00pm, while the day’s work is set up.

“It’s the biggest single piece of planned maintenance work we’ve done in an urban area for some years,” said General Manager of Network, Mike Fox. “A huge amount of planning has gone into it, including mustering all available TLC crews and contracting others in to get the job done quickly and all on one day.”

Most of the activity will be on Turongo Street, which will be closed to all but residents and emergency services, as around 80 – 90 line mechanics and a large number of lines vehicles and equipment move around throughout the day.

Parking restrictions will also be in place in all or parts of Turongo, Ranfurly, Hinewai, Haerehuka, Lawrence and Te Kanawa Streets to avoid delays to work such as poles being laid out, removed or replaced.

“We understand being without power is inconvenient. A Sunday during daylight saving was agreed locally as the day having least impact on businesses, families, schools and childcare. Hopefully, the weather is with us and there are no issues elsewhere on the network to postpone the work,” Mr Fox said.

Postponement updates will be made on local radio, and on TLC’s Facebook and website pages. Postponed work will move to the same times on Sunday 18 November 2018.

Residents are asked to be safe, to stay away from work areas and to treat all lines as live at all times.