BTU Uses Drones to Gather Data Along Texas Avenue

Drones will be flying above Texas Avenue this week.

With the assistance of McCord Engineering Inc., Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) is gathering survey data to design the next phase of the Texas Avenue Overhead to Underground electric conversion project.

Shawndra Curry, Division Manager of Engineering and System Planning, Shawndra Curry says using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is fast and efficient.

“Something that will take maybe a day or two to collect the data and then process it,” says Curry.

Curry says the drones will fly between 40 and 200 feet off the ground along the power line easement between Villa Maria and Dodge Street.

Click below to hear Shawndra Curry visiting with WTAW’s Chelsea Reber.

Listen to “BTU uses drones to collect survey data along Texas Avenue” on Spreaker.

News release courtesy of BTU:

Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU), through the assistance of a BTU consultant, McCord Engineering, Inc. (McCord), will be using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to gather survey data along Texas Avenue in Bryan the week of October 25 through October 29, 2021. McCord will use this data to engineer and design the next phase of the Texas Avenue Overhead to Underground electric conversion project.

McCord is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly UAVs and strictly follows all governing rules and regulations. Other than takeoff and landing, the UAV will fly between 40 -200 feet off the ground and will remain in the power line easement, Texas Department of Transportation right-of-way, or the City of Bryan right-of-way at all times. McCord will perform all work between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. McCord employees will be in a white truck with their company information and a BTU Contractor decal on the vehicle. Should you have any questions regarding the use of UAVs on this project, please contact Larry Hintzel at 979.821.5766.

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