News Summary
Residents of Bay Park, San Diego, celebrate the completion of a crucial utility undergrounding project, marking a significant milestone in safety and aesthetics. The removal of the last utility pole is a step towards improved reliability for the community, enhancing the neighborhood’s overall look. This $54 million project is part of a broader initiative to eliminate overhead power lines across San Diego, providing benefits such as increased safety and reduced fire risks during severe weather. The project also includes repaved roads and new streetlights, fostering a more resilient and attractive community.
Bay Park Neighborhood Celebrates Utility Undergrounding Completion
In the picturesque city of San Diego, residents of Bay Park are buzzing with excitement as they celebrate a significant milestone: the completion of a major utility undergrounding project. Just this past Wednesday, longtime resident Robert Mowry witnessed a moment he had anticipated for years—the removal of the last remaining utility pole in his neighborhood. For Mowry, who has called his home on Princeton Avenue since 1957, this event signifies not just a change in the skyline, but also an enhanced sense of safety and reliability.
The removal of this towering 40-foot wooden pole was no small feat. It was part of an ambitious initiative to replace overhead power lines with more secure underground infrastructure. This project is a collaborative effort between the city of San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), marking a significant step toward making neighborhoods safer and improving their overall look.
A Focus on Safety and Aesthetics
The Utilities Undergrounding Program is designed to enhance safety, boost reliability, and improve neighborhood aesthetics by eliminating those unsightly overhead lines. According to city officials, the ultimate goal is quite ambitious: to eventually underground every residential overhead utility line across all of San Diego.
The funding for this $54 million program comes from franchise agreements finalized back in 2021. To support these important undergrounding efforts, residents can expect to see a modest monthly surcharge of $5 to $8 added to their SDG&E bills. A reassuring aspect of this funding is that it is dedicated solely to underground projects and cannot be used for anything else.
Current and Future Projects
At present, there are around 55 projects in various stages of design and construction throughout the city, with two to five new projects kicked off each year. The neighborhood of Bay Park isn’t alone in seeing these improvements; areas like Barrio Logan, Egger Highlands, and Sherman Heights have also undergone similar upgrades recently.
Interestingly, the estimated cost to replace just one utility pole, which includes the extensive trenching needed for underground lines, hovers around $3,500. It’s fascinating to note how these changes not only reduce the risk of fire during extreme weather—especially important during fierce Santa Ana winds—but also open up the skies for unobstructed views and clearer landscapes.
Community Impact
The effort in Bay Park has resulted in the dismantling of a total of 203 utility poles, which directly enhances service reliability for 418 properties along a span of three miles of city streets. In addition to the removal of these poles, residents can also look forward to repaved roads, the installation of 34 new high-efficiency streetlights, and 56 ADA-compliant curb ramps as part of the overall project.
The palpable sense of community spirit was evident during the celebratory event held at the intersection of Brandywine and Princeton streets. Community members came together with city officials to commemorate the completion of this important project.
Looking Towards a Safer Future
With one-third of San Diego’s 110 square miles classified as a High Fire Threat District by the California Public Utilities Commission, the undergrounding of utility lines is not just an aesthetic benefit but a critical step toward ensuring community safety. By investing in these underground systems, residents can breathe a little easier knowing that they are better protected from the dangers of severe weather conditions.
For the people of Bay Park and their neighbors, the positive outcomes of this project resonate beyond just improved utility services. It’s about building a resilient and attractive community for families now and in the future. As the last pole comes down, there’s a bright future ahead that is not only safer but more beautiful.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
California’s Wildfire Safety Earns a Boost with PG&E’s New Initiative
Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- San Diego Union Tribune
- Hoodline
- Google Search: Utility Undergrounding San Diego
- CBS 8 News
- Wikipedia: Undergrounding
