The San Diego City Council unanimously approved an initiative Tuesday to begin the process of burying overhead power lines in five neighborhoods: Barrio Logan, Jamacha-Lomita, North Clairemont, and Kensington.
The council’s vote establishes five new underground utilities districts, a crucial first step in replacing the city’s remaining above-ground power lines. This initiative aims to improve reliability, enhance roadway safety, mitigate wildfire risks, and beautify the affected areas.
Creating these districts allows the city to coordinate with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), telecom utilities, and fiber optics providers to carry out the undergrounding work. This move follows the creation of over a dozen similar districts, primarily in the city’s urban core.
The next phase involves a one-to-two-year planning and design process, followed by approximately four years of construction. The undergrounding work will be conducted alongside other infrastructure improvements, including road repaving, tree planting, and upgrades to streetlights and sidewalks.
Residents in these neighborhoods have long awaited these improvements. In Kensington, for example, many streetlights have been inoperable for years. Residents in Jamacha-Lomita and North Clairemont have expressed concerns about wildfire risks due to their proximity to open spaces. Undergrounding power lines minimizes the risk of damage from flames and reduces the potential for power lines to ignite fires during dry, windy conditions.
“This is a long time coming and I know the properties being undergrounded will benefit from increased reliability of their utilities, as well as an improved skyline which wont have wires running across the streets anymore,” said Councilmember Vivian Moreno, representing Barrio Logan.
City staff estimates the total cost for the five districts at $190.8 million, though this figure may change during the planning phase. The majority of the cost will be covered by SDG&E ratepayers through the utility’s undergrounding surcharge.
While construction in the new districts is still years away, undergrounding projects are currently underway in Bay Park, Golden Hill, Allied Gardens, and parts of North Park, City Heights, and Clairemont Mesa.
A map of planned and ongoing undergrounding projects is available on the city’s website.
