50 concrete poles to be installed

Despite the drizzle and wind from a passing Super Typhoon Wutip, crew members from Commonwealth Utilities Corp. contractor Primary Source Electric continue to replace wooden power poles with concrete ones along Beach Road near the corner of Taibwo Street in Garapan. For six days, starting tomorrow, Tuesday, the replacements of 50 more wooden power poles in some areas on Saipan will be done as part of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s resiliency program. (Ferdie de la Torre)

There will be consecutive power outages in many areas on Saipan that will be staggered across six days starting tomorrow, as the company that the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has contracted for its resiliency program will be replacing 50 wooden power poles with concrete ones.

CUC executive director Gary P. Camacho said the power interruptions would let line workers from CUC’s contractor, Primary Source Electric, to replace utility poles in China Town, As Lito, and Dandan villages.

As of yesterday morning, despite Super Typhoon Wutip’s rain and wind, Primary Source Electric’s crew members were seen replacing some wooden poles with concrete ones along Beach Road near the corner of Taibwo Street in Garapan.

In a CUC statement over the weekend, it said the power interruptions are part of CUC’s resiliency program that is aimed at hardening and strengthening the power distribution system that was affected by Super Typhoon Yutu last October.

Due to the scale of work, Camacho advised motorists to take alternate routes or to exercise cautions when driving through the working areas.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, from 8am to 1pm, three wooden power poles will be replaced in China Town and Gualo Rai, causing to a power outage along Commonwealth Drive in China Town. Water service will be affected in Gualo Rai and As Falipe in that period.

Also, tomorrow, from 8am to 4pm, four wooden power poles will be replaced in Garapan. There will be a power interruption on Beach Road, Garapan, but water service will not be affected.

On Wednesday, from 8am to 1pm, three wooden power poles will be replaced in China Town. This will affect power on Sugar King Road in China Town. Water service will not be affected.

Also, on Wednesday, from 8am to 4pm, nine wooden power poles will be replaced in As Lito. This will affect power on Chalan Monsignor Road in As Lito. Water service in San Vicente will be affected.

On Thursday, from 8am to 4pm, nine more wooden poles will be replaced in As Lito. The power outage will be along Chalan Monsignor Road in As Lito and Fina Sisu. Water service will not be affected.

On Friday, from 8am to 4pm, nine wooden power poles will be replaced in Dandan. This will affect the power along Airport Road in Dandan. Water service will not be affected.

On Saturday, from 8am to 4pm, nine wooden power poles will be replaced in Dandan. This will affect power along Airport Road in Dandan. Water service will not be affected.

Finally, on Monday, March 4, from 8am to 1pm, four wooden power poles will be replaced in Dandan. This will affect power along Airport Road in Dandan. Water service will not be affected.