Crews have been working to modernize Detroit’s infrastructure and strengthen the grid to keep the power on for our customers, especially during extreme weather. This work is a part of our four-point plan to improve reliability which includes trimming trees, upgrading our existing infrastructure, rebuilding older portions of our grid and installing smart technology.
In the East Village, Elmwood Park, Gold Coast, Indian Village, Islandview, Joseph Berry Sub, Lafayette Park, McDougall-Hunt, Rivertown and West Village neighborhoods of Detroit, DTE is investing $270 million investment to rebuild the overhead and underground infrastructure that deliver power to the area.
This project includes:
- Building a new electric substation
- Removing and replacing more than 100 miles of overhead and underground wires and cables, transformers, utility poles and other electrical equipment
- Trimming trees growing too close to power lines
- Installing smart grid devices that can automatically reroute power to many customers during an outage
What are the benefits?
Once the work is completed and customers are switched over to the new power delivery system, customers served by the new substation and electrical equipment are expected to experience a 90% improvement in their power reliability. This means shorter and fewer service interruptions for homes and businesses in the area. Additionally, the work will improve safety and increase the grid’s capacity. The added capacity will allow us to deliver reliable power to even more homes and businesses in the area. It will also support more clean energy solutions like electric vehicles.
When will I see improved reliability?
We began this project in 2022 and will stagger switch customers over to the new system based on when the equipment is built out in their area. The map below shows the conversion timelines for Detroit’s Islandview area.
What work has been done?
Over the past year, we have completed and energized the new substation that will power this area of Detroit. We have also completed more than 30 miles of the rebuild in the Islandview area.
Currently, crews are working in the Islandview neighborhood on Agnes Street to rebuild the overhead infrastructure that delivers power to customers. They are removing ten old poles and replacing them with stronger wooden poles that have been treated to withstand extreme weather, rotting and wear and tear from small insects and animals. These improvements will help sustain the weight of new pole-top equipment, like wires and conductors, which are essential in providing energy to our customers and prevent poles from breaking during storms and extreme wind.
Crews will continue this work throughout Detroit’s east side, and all customers in the Islandview area will be switched over to the new system and experience the improved reliability by 2031. To stay up to date on work happening on Detroit’s east side, visit empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements/city-of-detroit/detroits-east-side or view our electric reliability improvements map.