Waterfront lines to go underground

AURORA Energy will be moving underground a section of overhead power lines along the waterfront at the Forsyth Barr Stadium end of the Dunedin to St Leonards shared walking and cycle path.

Aurora Energy general manager asset management and planning Glenn Coates said the power poles would be removed and the line put underground along the section from the start of the shared path near the Uni versity Rowing Club to the Harbour Rugby Club at Ravensbourne.

Once the 1kmlong highvoltage underground cable was installed, the existing 18 power poles and overhead line would be removed.

The conversion to underground cable would use ducting installed at the time the West Harbour shared path was built.

The project would enhance the shared walk and cycleway, remove a number of power poles in poor condition, improve the reliability of the highvoltage electricity supply to the Ravensdown fertiliser plant, and improve safety with the removal of overhead power lines crossing the adjacent railway tracks.

Detailed engineering design for the project was complete and a start date would be confirmed after discussion with landowners and feedback from affected parts of the community on preferred timing.

The estimated cost of the project was $250,000, Mr Coates said.