On December 10, 2021, a devastating tornado left a 500kV powerline in ruins. Seventeen lattice steel structures crumbled and twisted leaving tens of thousands without power. A quick and responsive engineering partner was required. Allgeier Martin and Associates rose to the challenge. AMA's successful work history led Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. and M&A Power to trust us with this rebuild project. This video tells the story of how AMA planned and designed it.

Cities and utility companies use private property to build the infrastructure that serves gas, electric, water, sewer, communications, roads, bridges, and flood controls. Ideally, engineers want to use the least amount of space possible to provide these services. But when that space is needed professional negotiators step in to settle a fair price for the use of private property.

After weighing the options, vibratory caisson footings provided a solution to the issues with pole placement in the swamp and to utilize the old railroad bed as equipment access. With this solution, we were able to overcome the quagmire.

The needle structure was conceived as a way to accommodate the conductor in the middle of the structure while also allowing for the pole base to be put back in the same location.