MAKE READY WORK VIRGINIA

Utility Make Ready Services in Virginia

Make ready work is the essential process of preparing existing utility poles for new attachments—whether for fiber optic lines, cable television, telecommunications equipment, or broadband infrastructure. Before any new wire or equipment can be added to a pole, the existing facilities must be rearranged, relocated, or upgraded to meet clearance requirements, structural loading standards, and safety codes established by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).

At Pross Construction Company, we have decades of experience performing make ready work throughout Virginia for major utilities, cooperatives, and telecommunications providers. Our experienced line crews understand the complexities of working on shared-use poles where electric, telephone, cable, and fiber facilities all coexist. We coordinate closely with pole owners and attaching entities to ensure every make ready project is completed on time, within budget, and in full compliance with all applicable standards.

What Our Make Ready Work Includes

Every pole attachment project is different, and our crews are trained to handle the full scope of make ready requirements:

• Pole Transfers – When an existing pole cannot support additional attachments, we transfer all existing facilities to a new, stronger pole and remove the old one. This includes transferring electric, telephone, cable, and fiber attachments in the correct sequence to maintain service continuity.
• Facility Rearrangements – Moving existing wires and equipment up or down the pole to create the required clearance space for new attachments. Our crews carefully reposition power lines, communication cables, and associated hardware while maintaining all NESC-mandated separation distances.
• Guying & Anchoring – Installing guy wires and anchors to reinforce poles that will carry additional loading from new attachments. Proper guying is critical to prevent pole failure and ensure long-term structural integrity.
• Crossarm Replacement & Installation – Replacing deteriorated or undersized crossarms with new ones that can accommodate additional conductors and equipment. We install both wood and fiberglass crossarms depending on project specifications.
• Pole Loading Analysis Support – Working alongside engineering teams to verify that poles meet structural requirements before and after modifications, ensuring every attachment meets load-bearing specifications.

How Pross Construction Approaches Make Ready Work

Our approach to utility make ready work in Virginia is built on coordination, safety, and efficiency. We begin each project with a thorough field review, walking every pole in the project scope to verify engineering plans against actual field conditions. This proactive approach catches discrepancies early and prevents costly change orders down the line. Our crews maintain close communication with pole owners, attaching companies, and local authorities to ensure all parties are aligned and work proceeds without delays.

Safety is at the core of everything we do. Our linemen are trained to work on energized and de-energized systems, and we follow strict lockout/tagout procedures when required. With a fleet of bucket trucks, digger derricks, and specialized rigging equipment, Pross Construction has the resources to handle make ready projects of any scale across the Commonwealth.