CRESTVIEW — Gulf Power contractors have begun a 10- to 12-week upgrade to electrical lines in north Crestview.
Linemen with Diversified Services of Hartselle, Ala., installed new utility poles in the median between State Road 85 and Industrial Drive. The work stretches about three-quarters of a mile between Third Street south and Stillwell Boulevard.
The electric company is upgrading area power lines, Gulf Power spokeswoman Natalie Smith said.
"They're increasing the size of the wires to carry more load," Smith said. "That helps maintain and improve reliability."
In the event of a power outage in the area, the heavier lines will allow engineers to transfer the electrical load to a different power substation to restore electricity, she said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Power upgrading power lines