Bookmark this blog as we will be updating it regularly with progress on our upgrades in downtown Ann Arbor.
DTE crews have been hard at work to modernize the infrastructure that powers Ann Arbor as part of our commitment to reducing the number and length of power outages for customers.
We’re investing more than $1.5 million to rebuild the electric equipment in downtown Ann Arbor near Broadway Street, Maiden Lane and Island Drive. This work includes:
- Installing over a mile of new poles, power lines, transformers and electric equipment. This new infrastructure is stronger and can better withstand the increasingly extreme weather Mother Nature is bringing to Michigan.
- Trimming or removing trees to prevent them from falling onto electric equipment and causing power outages.
When completed in the spring, the work is expected to improve electric reliability by up to 90% for 850 customers served by an upgraded substation and equipment in the area. It will also increase grid capacity, which will support the city’s growth and additional electric energy options like electric vehicles and appliances, aligning with Ann Arbor’s sustainability goals.
Project progress:
April 2025: Crews finished installing the new poles, power lines and other electric equipment that deliver power to downtown Ann Arbor near Broadway Street, Maiden Lane and Island Drive. The final step in the rebuilding process is connecting customers to the new electric power system. To safely complete this work, a short, planned outage is necessary. We will notify impacted customers in advance of the outage.
March 2025: We have rebuilt 60% of the power delivery infrastructure near Broadway Street, Maiden Lane and Island Drive. In total, we’re installing more than 30 new poles and other electric equipment.
January and February 2025: Crews trimmed trees and began rebuilding the power delivery equipment. This includes installing all new poles, power lines, transformers and more. When work is completed, this equipment will deliver power to customers from an upgraded electric substation in the downtown area. The upgraded substation will help ensure electricity continues to be delivered safely and more reliably to homes and businesses, as electric demand continues to grow.
Rebuilding significant portions of our electric grid is just one part of DTE’s plan to build the grid of the future. The plan also includes transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure and trimming trees. You can read more about work happening in your community at empoweringmichigan.com or by visiting DTE’s Power Improvement Map.