BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Construction crews erected two of four poles this week that will replace aging towers carrying power across the Agate Pass.

Crews had one 140-foot pole installed on the North Kitsap side of Agate Pass, and were steadily raising the other on Bainbridge Island by Oct. 8. The second pole could be finished as early as next week. The new structures are initially in three pieces: bottom, middle and top. Crews put up the final piece of island pole with caution as they had to work around live wires on the existing towers.

Half the lines remain active as the new poles go up to ensure uninterrupted service to the island; the Agate Pass lines are the sole avenue for power to the island. The new poles have a weathered look. From far away, they appear almost like tree trunks. They are being installed on new 40-foot deep foundations that were installed in September. The wires will be upgraded to higher capacity lines.

The Agate Pass project will set the stage for two more upgrades in North Kitsap over the next two years that will replace roadside poles and aging lines.