I never thought they made brand new lattice towers anymore. Every new Power line poles here use the hollow metal kind. I don't see lattice towers in use fora long time, and I think they haven't made any brand new ones since like the 1980's.

It also looks like they are TAKING THE POLE DOWN instead of putting them up.

Yeah they're still used here mostly for turns in the line though, the hollow metal kind is also used here too.

When did you take this picture? In 2009? Cause THIS PICTURE looks like the same pole but all built.

Yeah in October 2009 and that is indeed the pole after it was built.

The hollow steel poles are known as Monopoles. Very popular structure used today. Lattice towers are a thing of the past since they are not able to support weight from ice and snow. Big example was the 1998 Ice Storm that hit canada. We also had some Lattice towers here collapse during the 2011 October Nor' Easter.

Well it seems not here, they are much more common than monopoles here and (as you can see) are still quite commonly installed.

I've seen high voltage powerlines in the middle of the downtown in Trois-Rivières, QC! (The home of the former Westinghouse factory)

I still wonder why high-voltage power lines always have sets of three wires with a ground, sometimes you see sets of 6 wires with two grounds (Or sometimes ONE ground) Or sets of 9 wires with two grounds.

Well almost any high voltage powerline comes with the three phases, plus a neutral. When there are 6 wires I assume there are two 3-phase lines (and three lines if 9).

I think is because that AC power is generated in three phase.

sometimes also circuits are run in parrallel which is why you will see 6 lines run with one static wire. There is no neutral with transmission lines which are run in Delta. the Neutral is created in the substation with the step down 115kv/13.8kv or 115kv/23kv transformer which are common transformers used in the united states. I'll get a photo of the wiring Diagram for you to see.

Oh I guess you're right, it makes sense to start from the alternator in Delta.

Well I guess Tony explained it a lot better than I did.

The ground wire is to protect the power lines from lightning strikes, hence "Static Wire" Sometimes you will see bright orange balls on the static wire, to warn aircraft pilots of such a skinny hard to see wire. I lost an uncle to his helicopter crash in the 50s. He hit a PBA static in Oregon, flying into the sun, and no warning balls then in the 50s. RIP Uncle Jack

I like lattice towers..they have a nice classical look to them. some might consider them an eyesore but I think its a thing of beauty lol.

I think all powerlines are a think of beauty. Been into them since I was little, and I've always been interested in them. I think any power line can be beautiful, especially lattice towers.

I like HVDC better.

HVDC towers and lines look odd to me....but that's only because they have Two Lines instead of Three. I know a few exist here in the US.

and I agree all powerlines can be a thing of beauty.

Yeah, the lattice ones have a nice traditional look (especially this style) but the monopole ones do have a sleek look to them.

I'm personally like the AC lines more, it looks odd to me to have powerlines in a multiple of 2 instead of 3.

Lattice poles are still used here for new lines, as there is little chance of ice and snow. They are a lot stronger than monopoles as well, as they do survive the tropical cyclones quite well, even if the conductors are snapped off at times by flying debris. Only thing they do not survive are the scrap metal thieves who steal them pice by piece till they fall down.