The CBD in Cairns will receive a boost to its electrical network reliability with Ergon Energy upgrading critical sections of the underground infrastructure.
A number of ageing, high-voltage cables that supply the commercial precinct will be replaced, starting late September.
Ergon Energy Area Manager, Mitch Wyper, said, “This is the first phase of a significant project that will help us deliver a more reliable electricity supply to customers in a busy precinct.
“A specialist team from Brisbane has done comprehensive diagnostic testing to determine the condition of underground cables in areas where we’ve had recurrent faults and the results have helped us plan and prioritise work.
“We have selected five critical cables for immediate replacement and we will continue monitoring the network to identify and rectify any faults.”
The extensive program of work will involve the excavation and replacement of cables, conduits and joints at a number of sites, including Upward Street, Lake Street, Grafton Street (between Shield and Spence Streets) and Abbott Street (between Florence and Aplin Streets).
For the community’s safety, access around the construction sites will be restricted while work is underway.
“There will be some disruption for pedestrians and drivers, so we’re appealing to everyone to be patient and follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs.
“We’ve staggered the work so that we’re not disrupting traffic at multiple sites at the same time and the initial phase of this project will be completed before the wet season.
“We’re keeping customers updated on the works schedule, so they can plan ahead.
“Any short-term inconvenience will be outweighed by a more reliable power supply into the future,” Mr Wyper said.
At this stage there will be just one planned power outage to allow crews to replace a transformer at a Padmount substation. Affected customers have been notified of the date and timeframe.
Work will commence outside the Cairns Aquarius Hotel in Abbott Street on Monday 23 September and is scheduled for completion in mid-October.
