Avista upgrades Washington Street poles and power lines

RITZVILLE – Throughout the month of September, Avista contractors have been upgrading electrical lines along Washington Street.

According to the firm’s Othello representative, most power poles will be replaced and the company will restring wire all the way to 11th Avenue.

The Washington Street line is the main “feed” for East Adams Rural Hospital. It also routes power to nearby residences.

“There have been several outages on that line over the past few years. It’s old brittle copper up there. We’re installing bigger wire and all new poles,” he said.