Electricity upgrade work for Bulls and Ōhakea communities

Work is about to begin on upgrading the electricity network in Rangitīkei to continue to keep Bulls and surrounding communities’ homes and businesses powered now and in the future.

The $3.5 million Powerco upgrade project will see underground electricity cables being installed along State Highway 3 between the new Ōhakea Substation, adjacent to the Air Force base, and the Bulls Substation on Bridge St (SH3).

The work will be carried out in stages, beginning in early March, Powerco General Manager Service Delivery and System Operations, Karen Frew, says.

“When completed, the upgrade will provide back-up electricity options, enabling us to restore power to customers quicker and more safely if there is a power cut,” she says.

While the most direct route from the Ōhakea to Bulls substations is through the busy Bulls shopping centre, Powerco has specifically chosen to move the route away from those businesses.

“We know it’s been a tough time for businesses lately because of COVID restrictions. With this work, we looked for a solution without disturbing the busy central shopping area of Bulls.

“This will mean residential streets in Bulls, as well as areas of the state highway north and south of the central shopping area, will have traffic management in place at times for us to carry out the underground work.

“I’d like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while this essential work takes place,” Karen Frew says.

Electrical contractors will be carrying out the upgrade work for Powerco.

No power outages are planned for customers as part of this work.

 

Timeline for work

• March to mid-May 2022* – Underground cabling work in the roading corridor along SH3 between the southern side of the Rangitīkei River bridge and the Ōhakea substation on Frecklington Road.

• Mid-May to September 2022* – Underground cabling work from the Bulls Substation on Bridge St/SH3 northern entrance to Bulls, along Bridge St, onto Gorton St, then onto Hammond Street, Holland Cres and back onto Bridge St/SH3 to the northern side of the Rangitīkei River bridge.

• Mid 2022* – Final section over the Rangitikei River/SH3 Bridge.

*Timings dependent on conditions such as weather and COVID restrictions.