This article explains why Katy, Sugar Land and nearby neighborhoods are seeing large power poles staged along roadsides.
It outlines CenterPoint Energy’s post‑Hurricane Beryl recovery work, the new materials being used, the installation process that can create temporary “double poles,” and how this fits into a decade‑long investment to make the electrical grid more resilient.
What residents are seeing in their neighborhoods
Many people have noticed long rows of new poles lying beside streets or standing temporarily next to older wooden poles.
These visible changes are part of a coordinated infrastructure response to storm damage and a broader strategy to strengthen the grid.
Why these poles are different
CenterPoint Energy is replacing aging wooden poles with modern alternatives manufactured from fiberglass and other durable composites.
These materials are chosen because they resist rot, are lighter for crews to handle, and are engineered to tolerate hurricane‑force winds and other extreme weather.
The switch to composite poles is not cosmetic: it reflects a shift toward components that reduce long‑term maintenance and improve public safety by lowering the chance of pole failure during storms.
How installation works and why you may see “double poles”
Replacing a pole is a coordinated multi‑step operation that often involves more than one utility provider.
After a new pole is set, other companies must move their wires to the new structure before the old pole can be removed.
Coordination with other utility companies
That sequence creates temporary “double poles” — the new pole stands beside the original because lines from telecommunications, cable, or neighboring electric providers still need to transfer their circuits.
CenterPoint Energy says it is working with those companies to accelerate transfers and minimize the time both poles remain in place.
This approach prevents service interruption but requires scheduling crews across multiple organizations, permissions, and sometimes additional permitting when lines cross public rights‑of‑way.
Where this fits in CenterPoint’s long‑term resiliency plan
The roadside pole work around Katy and Sugar Land is one phase of a multi‑year program to harden the grid after the severe impacts of Hurricane Beryl (2024).
The utility’s action is a tactical response and part of a strategic investment in the region’s energy infrastructure.
Major investments and program scale
In August 2025, CenterPoint announced a $53 billion, decade‑long investment and a planned workforce expansion aimed at strengthening system reliability and resiliency.
This builds on an earlier proposal to upgrade or replace roughly 130,000 poles across the service area.
The resiliency plan also includes selective undergrounding of power lines — moving vulnerable overhead lines below ground in critical corridors to reduce storm exposure and outage frequency.
What residents should expect and practical tips
Residents may see equipment staging, temporary traffic controls, and crews working in sequence along neighborhoods.
Seeing new poles staged along streets is normal and typically short‑lived once coordination is completed.
How to stay informed
If you want project details or expected timelines for your street, check CenterPoint Energy’s local project updates and customer notices.
For safety, keep a respectful distance from poles and equipment.
Report downed lines to emergency services and your utility immediately.
Here is the source article for this story: What are those big poles laying on the Ground? CenterPoint Energy grid upgrades explained