Helicopter with dangling saw flying into southwest Michigan

Not a bird. Not a plane. But a helicopter dangling a buzzing saw.

Residents of two Michigan counties may see an aerial saw in coming days as utility workers trim the trees near high-voltage transmission lines in southwest Michigan.

Indiana Michigan Power said it contracted with Nebraska-based Kiewit Corp. to use perform the tree trimming with a helicopter-connected saw.

The work can be expected to happen between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. starting Tuesday, Feb. 13, through Friday, Feb. 16. The helicopter will fly westward toward Lake Michigan near transmission lines from Hartford Township in Van Buren County into Coloma and Benton townships in Berrien County.

The aerial saw will be suspended beneath a helicopter by a vertical boom with multiple blades attached.

Company officials said the practice is faster than traditional tree-trimming work and can more easily reach off-road areas.

This planned work is part of the company’s routine efforts to remove overhanging or encroaching branches that can fall on transmission lines and disrupt service, especially during stormy weather.

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