Residents of Flagstaff may notice more helicopter traffic than usual over the city between now and the end of the month.
The choppers are being brought in by Arizona Public Service to replace a more than 40-year-old power line running to the top of Mount Elden, on the city’s north edge.
Workers will be replacing 24 wooden poles with 19 steel poles. APS is using the helicopters to move crews and equipment for the project on the nearly 9,300-foot mountain.
APS operations officials told the Arizona Daily Sun the power line supplies electricity to communication equipment located at the top of Mount Elden. They said the power line itself is nearing the end of its life and has to be replaced to ensure reliability.
The helicopters are made necessary due to the steep, rocky terrain. Work is expected to continue through November.