An LCRA crew uses a 65-ton, all-terrain crane to erect 19,000-pound concrete poles in the Brownsville area hard-hit by Hurricane Dolly.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly, a crew of more than 20 Transmission Services line workers and other support staff are helping restore power in the Brownsville area. LCRA is working on a 138-kilovolt transmission line where the storm snapped 11 wooden poles in two. With the heat, mud, mosquitoes and downed lines, the work conditions are difficult.

LCRA staff worked with Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) staff to review and establish proper grounding, tagging and locking out the circuits and other safety procedures. Transmission Services deployed a 65-ton, all-terrain crane for replacing the broken poles with 90-foot, 19,000-pound concrete poles BPUB had on hand. The fleet also includes all-terrain trucks and tractors to maneuver through the water and wet clay soil in low-lying areas. Workers are wearing snake protection leggings in areas with heavy brush and weeds. Meanwhile, CPS Energy and Denton Municipal Electric are working on distribution lines in the Brownsville area. LCRA crews expect to finish their work and return to Austin this weekend.