To improve reliability of electric service to its customers, PP&L, Inc., is renovating a major high-voltage power line that runs from its Susquehanna switchyard near the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station near Berwick to the Stanton Switchyard in Exeter Township.

Work began on Monday, Feb. 8, and will continue over the next six weeks when the weather permits. No PP&L, Inc., customers will have electric service interrupted because of this power line work. However, Route 309 in Kingston Township will be closed temporarily for about 10 to 15 minutes on Thursday, Feb. 17, between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in the area of the Dallas Area Municipal Authority between Wasserott's Medical Supply and Hillside Road (near the border line of Kingston Township and Courtdale Borough).

"We are upgrading an important bulk power supply line which is about 20 years old. When the maintenance project is completed, the power line will be upgraded to meet today's standards for improved service reliability to our customers," said John M. Levitski, Wilkes-Barre community development director. According to Levitski, the Susquehanna Stanton #2, 230,000-volt power line carries electricity from PP&L, Inc.'s largest generating station, the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station near Berwick, for distribution to PP&L, Inc., customers.

Work will be done by helicopter. As the helicopter hovers over the power line, experienced power line workers will make the needed renovations from an attached platform. The work will include the replacement of hairpin spacers and dampers. Hairpin spacers keep the wires from coming together while the dampers utilize a weight system to keep the lines from vibrating due to weather conditions. The power line will be in service throughout the project.