Sumter Utilities crews are hard at work on a major transmission upgrade along the Jesup-Offerman transmission line, a 31-mile project spanning southern Georgia.  The scope of the project calls for setting new concrete poles and reconducting 115kV wire to keep pace with growing electrical demand in the region. Work began in late October 2025 and has continued steadily since, with two dedicated crews assigned to the job — crew 245, led by Foreman David Haire, and crew 835, led by Foreman Kyler Lee.

The pole replacement process has required careful sequencing to keep both the transmission and distribution systems safe throughout construction. New concrete poles, weighing just under 40,000 pounds apiece, have been set using a 200-foot crane, with local traffic control and police coordinating lane closures on the adjacent highways during each lift.

As the project has progressed, crews have kept up with routine safety requirements, including a scheduled glove changeout at the laydown yard, where rubber goods are inspected and swapped out every six months. Every morning starts with a JTSA to keep the crew on the same page. Even the neighborhood dog shows up hoping for a snack (pictured in gallery above) — but hopefully he picks up a lesson in safety along the way too!

This project remains in progress.

Sumter Utilities served as a subcontractor for Irby Construction on this emergency repair project along the Indian River Waterway in Melbourne, Florida. The project involved specialized barge-based operations to access and upgrade 17 transmission structure locations on a line originally constructed in 1983.

Two dedicated Sumter crews performed time and materials (T&M) work to implement several critical upgrades. The scope included replacing outdated bell insulators with modern polymer alternatives, installing new through bolts to enhance structural integrity, and adding reflective strips essential for safety in navigable waterways. The team also reinforced existing infrastructure by installing new down guy wires and guy plate attachments for brace poles. Additionally, crews installed steel bands to secure concrete poles to their concrete pier foundations, ensuring long-term stability in the challenging waterway environment.

The barge-based approach allowed our teams to access these difficult locations while minimizing environmental impact to the sensitive Indian River ecosystem. Through careful coordination and specialized equipment, Sumter successfully completed these essential reliability improvements to maintain power delivery in the Melbourne area.

Sumter Utilities served as the prime contractor for this 4.62-mile transmission line rebuild, converting wood H-frame structures to single pole steel for Dominion Energy South Carolina. The project required extensive environmental protection measures across delineated wetlands.

When estimating this project, Sumter had a choice: pay a subcontractor to properly manage the matting, or leverage partnerships within Quanta to self-perform the matting element of the job and reduce expenses. Ultimately, Sumter stepped up to new challenges, and managed the installation of 5,300 specialized timber mats with help from B&N Clearing, a sister company. Crews handled all matting operations including hauling, installation, repositioning, and removal with support from substation teams and Lee Electrical.

Ultimately, Sumter finished the project well below budget, and with a new skillset to add to our resume. This infrastructure modernization will improve power reliability for Dominion Energy while demonstrating Sumter’s commitment to environmental responsibility in sensitive ecological areas.

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