EUGENE, Ore. - In South Eugene, a significant infrastructure upgrade is underway to enhance community resilience against natural disasters.

The Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) is replacing old wooden poles with stronger metal ones and burying nearly 1,000 feet of power lines underground near Frank Kinney Park. The South Eugene area is particularly prone to power outages due to its steep terrain and dense tree cover. EWEB officials said these factors make emergency repairs challenging, especially during the winter months.

"More resilient to just, everything. The environment, weathers, and tree's, everything that can get into the line," said Marty Van Cleve, a Line Crew Leader for EWEB.

This project, costing nearly $1 million, is part of EWEB's wildfire mitigation plan. By moving p

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