After more than a month of long closures on Red Mountain Pass repairing a power transmission line and a rockslide area, the work was finally done – or so they thought.
When crews prepared to re-energize the recently repaired power transmission line, they discovered a power pole had been cut down and a “substantial length” of transmission wire had been stolen, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
To repair the line for a second time – it was originally damaged in the major rockslide in mid-January – helicopters will be required to transport heavy equipment into the area. CDOT estimates traffic may be held for two to four 45-minute periods between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday to ensure public safety. The work is expected to be completed by the weekend.
Work on the 44-kilovolt power line was initially delayed after the 2014 slide because of the conditions and challenges of the site. The repairs finally began in September after coordination between businesses, communities and CDOT.
“This is actually the second act of vandalism that has hit this particular section of line,” said San Miguel Power Association Operations Manager Paul Enstrom. SMPA owns the line. “Another pole was cut down and more wire was stolen sometime earlier, when the line was de-energized.” The September-October work was completed on schedule Oct. 8 despite unforeseen site-related challenges. “The repair of the vandalism to the line will require extra work, extra materials and full traffic stops as we proceed,” Enstrom said. “We apologize for any inconvenience to travelers.”
The power line serves as backup to communities from Silverton to Colona.
The San Miguel power co-op is asking anyone with information about the vandalism or wire theft to call the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 325-7272.
abutler@durangoherald.com
