Sitka islands lose power July 31 for underwater cable replacement

Eleven islands off Sitka will go without power for eight hours on Friday, July 31, as the City and Borough of Sitka Electric Department replaces an aging underwater cable across Sitka Channel.

The outage runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and affects customers on Aleutski, Anderson, Bamdoroshni, Beardslee, Breast, Galankin, Gillmore, Morne, Sheep, Twin, and Whale islands.

The day before the outage, on the morning of Thursday, July 30, crews will install the new high-voltage armored cable across the bay from the bridge near City Hall to Aleutski Island using a landing craft. The work is expected to have minimal impact on marine traffic, and vessels should be able to navigate safely around the work area.

The new cable is also being relocated to accommodate construction of the future Sitka Seawalk Phase II project. For more information, contact the City and Borough of Sitka Electric Department at 907-747-4000.