Another issue not discussed is that when the original power poles were set, the area was more rural. You now have power poles in peoples yards with no direct access. Utility companies have to break down or go through one, two, sometimes three or more concrete/cinder block walls to get to the poles.
And if you think the fence owners are not going to charge the utility companies for damages to their fences...
In that case rebuilding and even moving entire routes may prove to be much faster. I live in rural East Tennessee. In my lifetime 60 years} the routing on my road has changed at least twice. The last time it was done when the substation was built. I have the 180K line for the substation running across my property behind me on the ridge.