Q: Concerning the tall tower steel poles along Dallas Highway, since they’ve been erected, why are pine poles still standing?

Q: Concerning the tall tower steel poles along Dallas Highway, since they’ve been erected, why are pine poles still standing? Why can’t all the wiring be put on those poles? — Rosalie Smith, Powder Springs

A: The Georgia Department of Transportation usually requires a “single pole line” when Georgia Transmission Corp. builds a new electric transmission line along highways, said Jeannine K. Rispin, a spokeswoman for the Tucker-based company. Such projects are under way along Dallas Highway in the northwest metro suburbs and U.S. 78 east of Atlanta. All overhead utilities must be aligned and attached to the same structures, where possible. Georgia Transmission Corp. adds extra height to its transmission line structures so the electric distribution, cable and communication wires can attach to the new structure. It is up to each service provider to move its wires from the wood pole to the transmission line structure, Rispin said. This can take several months to more than a year, depending on the company. She said the last company to move is usually responsible for removing the wood pole. The new electric transmission lines are necessary to ensure the reliability of the system as people use more power and as the population grows, Rispin said.

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).