Duke Energy replaces wooden poles with steel ahead of hurricane season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Duke Energy is replacing wooden transmission poles with taller steel poles along parts of Archer Road, Center Drive and Mowry Road as part of Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Duke Energy representatives say the steel and concrete poles are better able to withstand high winds and severe weather. The company says it’s working year-round to make Florida’s power grid more resilient.

The pole replacement is one of several projects aimed at strengthening the electric grid year-round. Other improvements include moving power lines underground and implementing “self-healing” technology, which helps identify outages more quickly.

Duke Energy officials say about 60% of their transmission poles have been replaced with steel or concrete over the last five years, with a goal of finishing the project by 2028.

“We live in Florida, we know it’s a matter of if, not when, the next storm is coming, that’s why we’re out here 365 days a year doing this work, not just before hurricane season because we know that it benefits our customers during those storms and year-round,” said Aly Raschid, Duke Energy spokesperson.

The work is expected to continue through the end of the month, mostly during overnight hours, with minimal traffic impacts expected.

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