atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Utility pole replacement and ownership

What's the policy on the removal of old poles, once all attachments have been removed? In places around here, I've seen them cut flush with the ground, other places, it would appear the pole was pulled out and hole filled. Other places half a pole was left (free mailboxes I guess). Seems tacky to leave a pole in any fashion other than pulled out. But I guess that's a lot of labor (money) to do.

It all depends on who owns the pole and the local convention. Here, in Western PA, the poles are pulled out, either by the power company or Verizon or their contractor. The power company will remove the pole within days if the pole is clean, but when the cable companies get around to doing a transfer and then Verizon does theirs, it could be months, even years. It's a terrible situation.

Rcaman

When they pull the old poles out, do they have to have a dump truck of dirt/fill/sand to refill the holes?

More utility pole questions:

The LEC is dropping in new poles to replace old ones on a road nearby. All of the new utility poles have predrilled holes almost at the top, presumably for the PoCo to attach their crossbar. How do the LEC pole installers know where the holes are and if they are in the correct orientation when they are setting the pole in the ground? Or do they just set it any which way and let the PoCo deal with it afterwards? Or does the PoCo twist the pole when they are doing their work to get the holes to line up the way they need them?

...do they have to have a dump truck of dirt/fill/sand to refill the holes?

No, they use the dirt from the new hole to fill the old hole. A dump truck would have approximately 1,000 times as much dirt as required.

...does the PoCo twist the pole when they are doing their work to get the holes to line up the way they need them?

You must be kidding. Twist a pole once it's in the ground??? What would happen to the telephone cables that are already fastened to the pole? Would they twist around, too?

LOL...Good one Arthur. I think the OP is figuring the Power Company would be there first BEFORE any of the other utilities are transferred. Obviously the OP has never set a utility pole. Once in the ground and properly tamped, the pole is like it grew roots. It's going to stay right where it is set.

The crafts persons setting the pole are aware of the hole attachment orientation. They are pretty good at getting the pole in the proper orientation. The National Electrical Safety Code as well as the local utility companies have specifications as to the placement of power and communications on the poles.

Rcaman