Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Highlands warns residents of planned Duke Energy outage and major traffic disruptions Feb. 26
Summary
Town officials said a planned power outage by Duke Energy will affect Highlands electric customers on Feb. 26, will require large crews and traffic controls, and could close Mirror Lake and Hicks Road cut-throughs; notices and signage will be posted.
The Highlands mayor and staff told the Board of Commissioners the town and Duke Energy will carry out a major planned power outage and related line work that is expected to affect town electric customers and require extensive traffic controls.
The mayor said the outage will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and could last into the evening; Highlands electric customers will be affected and should be prepared. The town clarified that some nearby residents who receive electricity from Duke Energy, rather than Highlands Electric, may also be affected; Duke representatives will send direct notices to those customers 48 hours before the outage.
Officials warned of heavy work crews — the mayor said there could be as many as 2,900–3,000 Duke and subcontractor workers in the area — and that Duke will implement traffic control at work zones. Town staff advised that Mirror Lake Road between Route 64 and the bridge and Hicks Road from that bridge toward Zachary will be impacted and may be closed to through traffic during operations. The mayor urged posting signage at key cut-through locations (including Mirror Lake and Route 64) and sending code-bridal (emergency) messages to affected residents so people have time to plan alternate routes.
Town staff also said certain neighborhoods such as Big Pine would be most affected by road closures, and that Duke will have traffic control measures in place on the work day. Commissioners asked staff to place signs in advance so residents have a week to adjust travel plans. Officials will follow up with Duke and county partners on precise closure details and coordinate messages to residents.
Speakers in this item included the mayor and Town Manager Josh, who coordinated details with Duke and county staff and described planned signage and communication steps.
