By Genevieve Judge, Local News 8 Reporter

DOWNEY - Many people driving to Utah this weekend or maybe back through southern Idaho probably noticed the giant power poles going up along I-15.  It's all part of the Populus to Terminal Project by Rocky Mountain Power.

The contract for the new power structures was signed last fall and construction began in Downey in February.

Today more people are using more electricity so power companies have to produce or buy more.  The power poles will line a section of I-15 nearly 140 miles long.

The project is designed to bring additional electricity to customers both in Idaho and in Utah.

"One of the things that we have found is that during the last 20 years customers have increased their need for electricity by 26 percent over what is was 20 years ago.  And there has been no large addition to the transmission network in that time," said Margaret Oler, spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Power.

Construction on the Populus to Terminal Project is estimated to be finished by December 31, 2010.