Looking at Distribution Work in a Different Light
By: Jarrod Wachter

Efficiency. Flexibility. Creativity. Since June 2005, those words have taken on new meaning for three Midwest Electric crews that have been have been involved in an urban rebuild project in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The crews are involved in the first phase of converting voltage in the Parnell/Vance circuit in older urban areas of Fort Wayne from 4 Kv to 12 Kv. But as the crews can attest, sometimes it’s easier said than done.

“The biggest challenges are in the back yards, where at times we have to work in very tight spaces,” said Brian Gardiner, general foreman for Midwest Electric in northeastern Indiana. Sometimes fences need to be removed or trees service needs to be called in to make lines more accessible.

Then there are the poles, including some that are 60 to 70 years old. “Every pole might look the same, but they are different. A lot of poles are rotten below the ground. Poles that need to be replaced may need to be removed and re-installed by hand,” Gardiner said.

To stay on track, the three-man crews go about their work prepared for the unexpected. “I tell the crews to never walk out of the truck empty-handed,” Gardiner said.

“The crews face a lot of different situations, and have to think quickly on their feet. They have to be creative and look at things in a different light,” said Jarrod Wachter, business assistant for Midwest Electric.

“It’s all about how efficiently you can do the work. What’s making the difference for us is Brian’s expertise and familiarity with the project,” Wachter said. Gardiner worked for another contractor involved in the Fort Wayne urban rebuild previously.

Once the Parnell/Vance circuit is completed, the Midwest Electric crews will move onto another circuit. Because of the complexity of the project, there’s no set completion date. “The urban rebuild will be ongoing for a long time,” Wachter said.

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