Entergy’s capital projects organization is implementing a range of advanced construction technologies to safely and efficiently build high‑voltage transmission lines across some of the most challenging terrain in south Louisiana. These approaches, including drone‑assisted line installation and helicopter‑supported construction, are being deployed on the Amite South reliability project and are expected to improve safety, reduce time and lower costs.
Strengthening regional reliability and growth
The Amite South reliability project includes construction of new 230 kV and 500 kV transmission lines running from Plaquemine, La., Waterford 1 & 2 Plant in Killona, La. and Ninemile Point Plant in Westwego, La. The route crosses more than 150 miles of rural farmland and marshland, where traditional equipment can be difficult to deploy and often requires specialized vehicles like airboats and marsh buggies. Once energized, these lines will improve power flows across the region, enhance reliability and resiliency for customers in the Greater New Orleans area and support growing industrial and commercial development. On the west bank of the Mississippi River. They will also strengthen connections between Texas, north Louisiana and the New Orleans metro area, helping to ensure a more resilient and flexible electric grid.
The project also incorporates several custom‑designed components to support aerial construction, including specialized line guides, protective flight‑path hardware and a self‑contained tensioning trailer. Entergy’s Capital Projects team oversees safety, planning and coordination with contractor partners to ensure consistent execution throughout the project.
“This technology is a game changer for us,” said Capital Projects field supervisor Logan Werner.
Contractor partners include Infravision, which supplies the drone system, and ULCS, which provides construction services as part of Entergy’s overall execution plan.
Modernizing line installation
Traditional line‑stringing requires tower climbs or bucket‑truck access at nearly every structure, making progress slow and labor‑intensive. Drone‑assisted installation changes that by flying a lightweight pilot line along the route, allowing crews to remain safely on the ground.
“This is the first time we’ve used a drone to pull lead lines,” said field supervisor Cody Abshire. “Before, crews had to access every structure. Now the initial pull takes only minutes.”
Remote marshland along the route makes traditional access difficult. In one example, crews completed a two‑mile pull across 14 structures — including a highway and an energized distribution line — in under an hour, compared to days using conventional equipment.
The project is also using alternative foundations, such as helical piles which are steel foundations that screw into the ground like large corkscrews. They can be transported into marsh areas more efficiently than traditional equipment and can be used in groups to provide strong, stable support similar to traditional foundations.
Helicopters also play an important role, especially when setting structures in the marsh where ground equipment cannot easily operate. Under good conditions, a single helicopter can set about 30 structures in a day, work that could take several weeks using traditional construction methods.
These methods help deliver infrastructure that supports both industrial growth and residential reliability.
