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 continuing this work by rebuilding electric equipment in downtown Ann Arbor near Broadway Street, Maiden Lane and Island Drive. This more than $1.5 million project, which is planned to begin in February, 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 around 850 customers in the area. It will also increase grid capacity, which will support the city’s growth and more electric energy options like electric vehicles and appliances, aligning with Ann Arbor’s sustainability goals.
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.