Ask Now: What's the big green box at 104th Street and Wisconsin Avenue?
This substation at 104th Street and Wisconsin Avenue converts power for streetlights. Eventually, boxes like this will be replaced by smaller models.
Is there a rumor you've heard that you would like to track down? Is there something in the city — like playground equipment or a pothole — that needs to be fixed? Rick Romano answers some of the mysteries of life in Wauwatosa and helps solve everyday problems.
What is that broken-down transformer at 104th Street and Wisconsin Avenue?
Issue:Our reader called the "green monster" an eyesore and possibly a safety hazard.
"Who owns it and what's the plan?" he asked.
Status: The "transformer" actually is a street lighting substation that is designed to receive 4,000 to 7,000 volts of electricity supplied by We Energies and convert it to a 240 volts to supply power to the city's streetlights. It is one of some 50 such substations throughout Wauwatosa.
The substation in question was damaged by a semi, said Randy Michelz, the city's traffic and electrical superintendent. He said the city is working out the logistics of repair or replacement with We Energies.
The green substations eventually will be replaced by silver boxes that are at most one-third the size of the current equipment.
"Streetlighting boxes like these are very common in cities that run their own streetlighting equipment," said Amy Jahns, a We Energies spokeswoman. "It is the most efficient way for the city to operate the lighting devices used."
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