Power restoration to 38 commercial customers in downtown Laredo should begin by mid-day Tuesday and it is anticipated that all customers who can receive electric service will have power restored by Wednesday night.

 AEP Texas has been working around the clock since the Laredo downtown underground electric network failed shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday, leaving 143 electric customers without service. Service was restored to 105 of those customers at 2 p.m. Friday.

 The company has met personally with affected customers to update them on progress and to answer their questions. AEP Texas personnel will be available near the work site to assist affected business owners with additional questions.

 Pedestrian traffic is limited around the work zone and residents are asked to stay outside the barricaded work area for safety reasons.

 “We have made significant progress in cleaning up our underground vault and making repairs to our electric facilities,” said Charles Brower, AEP Texas director of engineering and electric dispatch. “Our focus is to get everyone back in service as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to make repairs.”

 Customers are asked to not use a generator because they can “back feed” electricity up the line and risk the lives of repair workers and the public.