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Video by Sarah Bennett

Task Force Power Restoration helicopter operations

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District

March 11, 2018 | 0:26

A helicopter returns a mini-excavator from a worksite in the mountains back to the laydown yard in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, where it is parked when not in use. The mini-excavator has been used in the repair of a critical transmission line through the interior of the island that will provide electricity to customers in remote areas.

As of March 11, 2018, more than 91 percent of customers on the island have electricity. The remaining nine percent are located mostly in mountainous areas not easily accessible by utility vehicles. To repair the lines that service these customers, workers, poles, towers, tools and equipment must be flown into the mountains by helicopter. Despite transportation and access challenges, work crews on the island are focusing their efforts in remote areas, with the goal of achieving 95 percent restoration in these regions by late May. Note: Video footage has been accelerated to show the full action.