Good News! It's Only 2 Cables!
The cooperative continues its execution of two simultaneous solutions to restore transmission service. The underground solution is to continue the excavation and de-watering process, digging to greater depths to reach and splice the second damaged cable. Splicing on the first damaged cable is complete. Installation efforts began early this morning on the second solution – building a new overhead transmission line that will run from the south end of the Bonner Bridge to meet the cooperative’s existing overhead transmission line.
Restoring permanent transmission service as quickly and safely as possible is CHEC’s top priority, which is why workers are aggressively pursuing both solutions to determine which will be completed first. The timeline for a complete repair ranges from one to two weeks.
The damage to the transmission cables occurred at the south side of the Bonner Bridge early on the morning of July 27 when PCL Construction, the company building the new Bonner Bridge, accidentally drove a steel casing through the cooperative’s transmission cables. The cooperative is supplying power to the island via permanent and portable diesel generators, and while it pursues the permanent solutions, CHEC is concurrently working to expand the temporary generation service on Hatteras Island in order to accommodate a staged reentry of visitors. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for all visitors to Hatteras Island at this time.
CHEC appreciates the continued support of its members, as well as Gov. Roy Cooper and other officials from local and state agencies.
