NPPD’s power poles to be transported by helicopter

COLUMBUS, Neb.— NPPD will be using an airborne approach for delivering power poles to an area north of Lexington.

NPPD’s Board of Directors met in an emergency board meeting on July 2 to discuss the damage of an intense storm on June 30. A 230-kilovolt transmission line that contained almost 50 structures was severely damaged and out of operation.

The board passed a resolution authorizing NPPD to procure labor, materials, equipment and services, and to negotiate any contracts necessary to repair the line.

One of the authorizations included using a helicopter to deliver power pole structures.

Crews will be transporting the H-frame wood power poles, which will be used to repair seven miles of transmission line.

The helicopter transportation will start this week. NPPD District Transmission Manager Bob Blessin asks residents near the worksite to keep a safe distance and not to operate drones in the area.