Puget Sound Energy will begin replacing 15 power poles and power lines next month as part of an upgrade of its existing electric distribution system in the Port Orchard area.

Poles and power lines along Sidney Avenue, from Bay Street to SE Lund Avenue, will be replaced beginning Feb. 1 with new wooden poles and tree wire.

Kelley O’Brien, PSE project manager, said more than one mile of aging copper wire will be removed and replaced with tree wire, which she said has shown to be effective in reducing power outages caused by falling tree branches by up to 70 percent.

Tree wire is a specially coated overhead wire, which prevents an electric short in the line and a subsequent shortage in the event a tree limb falls into a line.

It is especially effective at preventing outages in areas with many trees, O’Brien said.

“Although it does not prevent outages caused by a tree falling into a power line, tree wire can significantly lower the frequency of tree-related power outages” in the community, she said. “Our crews will do their best to reduce impacts to nearby neighbors,” O’Brien said.

“But there may be some noise and traffic impacts.”

PSE said some customers may experience a temporary interruption of power during the replacement work. O’Brien said impacted customers will be notified in advance of the work.

Electric crews from PSE and Potelco will begin preparation work by trimming trees along the project route. Work is to continue for three months.