Puget Sound Energy announced the start of work on a substation in Maxwelton to help increase electric reliability on South Whidbey.

Work is slated to begin Wednesday, July 1 on property between Highway 525 and Craw Road, east of Coles Road. The surrounding property is dedicated public greenspace.

Some trees will be removed from the shoulder of the highway’s right of way to create an opening where a transmission line feeding the substation will cross over the highway. Other trees on narrow corridors within the Puget Sound Energy property will be cleared in August or September to extend existing transmission lines from Coles Road into the new substation.

Construction of the substation itself will continue through September.

In a news release from Puget Sound Energy, a notice was issued that neighbors may experience increased traffic on Craw Road.

Installation of electrical equipment will occur in late 2015 or early 2015.