EMSC wrote:jamesdeluxe wrote:Is it possible to bury that type of high-voltage wire? I'm sure the resort would prefer that, if feasible.
Possible? Engineering wise, yes. Would they ever do that in that location? Not a chance. Way too expensive for a rural line like that. But there are many buried lines in metro areas where land is much more valuable.
-Front Range, non-pinko
I've been on the last tram of the day at ~10am from huge winds (old tram). We did some pretty big slams into the top tower and also the top station as we docked...
Yea, usually always better to bury electric lines (from a safety and aesthetic viewpoint), phone lines, cable lines, etc but, as you note, very expensive to do, especially in more rural areas. It will never happen in most parts of the country. I live in a rural part of New England and we lose power fairly often, usually in the summer, from high winds in thunderstorms bringing down trees or large branches on to the wires. Longest we went without electricity was about 4 days, in an especially bad and widespread summer squall line. A total pain, especially without a generator. We have a well with an electric pump, so no running water when we lose power. No doubt the electric company spends a fair amount every year repairing downed lines and also trimming trees all along the electric grid system. I'm amazed at how often I see large tree trimming crews working along the roads, to try to minimize falling branches and trees from taking down lines. Of course, those costs get passed along to ratepayers.
I would not want to be on that JH tram in high winds, but I understand the new tram was engineered and built to operate safer in higher winds. Not sure if that is true in reality?