Utility work could cause outages

A utility company that supplies electricity and natural gas to many north-central Montana residents is doing $1.1. million worth of upgrades in the area that could lead to short interruptions in service.

“NorthWestern (Energy) will work to notify customers in advance of any outages and apologizes for any inconvenience they might cause,” the company said in a press release.

One project, from Box Elder north on U.S. Highway 87, is being done in conjunction with a Montana Department of Transportation project to resurface the highway.

During the project, NorthWestern will move electric transmission and distribution lines, along with natural-gas lines. The work could lead to some short outages, the company said in the release. The project is expected to be completed this week.

NorthWestern Crews also are in the middle of a power-pole replacement project on the south end of Havre. The project began in May and will be completed in September. The 60 poles being replaced are in an area from Saddle Butte west to 5th Avenue and north to 6th Street.

Near the end of August, work will begin on a project to move gas meters from inside to the outside of a number of apartment buildings on six blocks in the downtown area. Outside meters are more accessible to meter readers and maintenance workers. The meter project is expected to continue through the end of 2013.

The work extends east of Havre, as well. NorthWestern crews are in the middle of a sizable pole replacement project between Harlem and Malta. The project, involving the replacement of 110 poles, started in April and completion is expected in September.

While the Highway 87 project is tied in with MDT’s work to resurface the highway, the other projects are intended to improve the reliability of electric service, the release said, adding that the company is in the third year of a seven-year upgrade of electric and natural-gas infrastructure across its Montana service territory.

Customers with questions about an outage or any aspect of their service can contact NorthWestern Energy at (888) 467-2669.