UPDATED: Sunday, January 29, 2012 --- 5:40 p.m.

A power company shuts down the Beltline for several hours today so they can airlift some new, massive power poles into the Yahara Wetlands.

As impressive as the process is, it also has some asking questions about why it's necessary.

With a helicopter hovering overhead, Sunday morning brought a site that doesn't come around often.

The eastbound Beltline, part of one of Dane County's busiest roads, empty.

At 6 a.m. all traffic was routed off the eastbound lanes near the Yahara Wetlands so American Transmission company (ATC) could safely airlift massive new power poles into place.

Sarah Justus with ATC says, "They're being brought in by helicopter today so that we can minimize the amount of heavy traffic in the wetland and really reduce our footprint in this area."

The poles are picked up off site by a helicopter and flown in. As the helicopter hovers overhead it takes several workers on the ground to move the bottom of the poles into place.

The poles are anchored into foundations that basically screw into the ground, so they don't have to excavate soil in the wetland.

Justus says, "Because it is such an environmentally sensitive area we have some very special construction that we're using to minimize our impact."

This is all part of a 215-million dollar project that began in 2004 and will bring power from the eastern part of Dane County to the west.

ATC worked with the DNR and Public Service Commission, taking public input, before the route through the wetlands was chosen. According to ATC the commission choose the route.

While there are some complaints about the view, Wisconsin Wetlands Association tells us they're not fighting this and the DNR is permitting the whole thing extensively.

Justus says, "What is needed is a high-voltage transmission line, 345,000 volts, that is really going to sustain the electrical needs of this region for many many decades to come."

ATC is hoping to complete the entire project by spring of 2013.

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UPDATED Sunday, January 29, 2012 --- 10:55 a.m.

The eastbound Beltline has re-opened between South Towne Drive and Stoughton Road.

All lanes were closed earlier as a helicopter installed new ATC transmission poles near the roadway.

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Original story:

From the Wisconsin Department of Transportation:
Eastbound Beltline lane closures Sunday 6 a.m. to noon

The eastbound Beltline between South Towne Drive and Stoughton Road will be closed Sunday (January 29) from 6 a.m. to noon.

Eastbound traffic will be routed along South Town Drive, Broadway and Stoughton Road to the eastbound Beltline.

**The American Transmission Company is using a heavy-lift helicopter to set transmission poles in the Yahara Wetlands, along the eastbound Beltline.