NYSEG trimming trees in Otisco, Marcellus
New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) announced that crews recently started proactive tree trimming work in the towns of Otisco and Marcellus in Onondaga County to protect the electrical system from hazards caused by fallen branches and vegetation overgrowth. The trimming activity will extend 28 miles along the Otisco 703 circuit, which delivers electricity to customers’ homes and businesses. The efforts will include trimming within the company’s right of way as well as removing hazard trees that can cause damage to the circuit if they were to break or fall.
Crews will be working along Otisco Valley Road, Amber Beach Road, Fitzgerald Pt. Road and Lakeview Terrace in the Town of Otisco. In the Town of Marcellus, crews will be working along Cherry Valley Turnpike and Schuyler Road.
“The leading cause of outages in the NYSEG service area are a result of trees, branches, or foliage causing damage to the power lines,” said NYSEG Forester Kraig Senter. “We’re proactively trimming trees along this circuit, and throughout our entire service area, to minimize the impact that vegetation has on our system and reduce the likelihood that a broken tree or branch will fall onto the power line and cause an outage.”
In addition to routine maintenance tree trimming, crews will patrol the region for hazard trees to evaluate and pursue future full tree removals. To access certain areas of this circuit, specialized off-road equipment known as a “minifoot” is required and in particularly challenging terrain, trimmers will climb the trees to complete the trimming process. A minifoot evenly displaces the weight over wide, flotation tires to avoid rutting into the ground.
NYSEG conducts tree-trimming work year-round and continuously prunes or removes trees and vegetation that could potential damage the system and cause outages. Additionally, the company is placing particular emphasis on areas where trees pose an increased risk for outages.
NYSEG advises customers that temporary and minor traffic delays may occur during the project period. The company also asks that motorist use extra caution when near crews and work zones.
“Our contractor crews from Nelson Tree Service will be seen working along roadways throughout the duration of this work,” said Senter. “We thank our customers in advance for their attentiveness as they pass through work zones. This will allow crews to complete their trimming efforts safely and efficiently.”
Trimming work is expected to be completed by May 1.
