An electric service reliability improvement project by Detroit Edison will culminate next month when 2500 customers in Shelby Township are switched to a new substation and the voltage carried by power lines in the area is increased.

The customers, in an area bounded by 22 Mile Road to the north, 21 Mile Road to the south, River Bends Park to the west and Robin and Oriole streets to the east, are served by the Hill Substation at 22 Mile Road and Van Dyke. They will be switched to the new Bronco Substation, north of 22 Mile Road between Shelby Road and Van Dyke.

In addition, the utility will increase voltage in pole-to-pole power lines from 4800 to 13,200 V.

"The area has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years and this project will address the additional electric load placed on our equipment and substation," said Vince Dow, Detroit Edison vice president, Distribution Operations. "This project will handle the new growth and load on our system, as well as accommodate foreseen future load growth."

Detroit Edison has sent letters to explain the project to residents and reminder phone calls will be made the day before work begins. Detroit Edison representatives have visited business owners affected by the work to help them prepare for the power outage.