Underground Program
Watch the May 10, 2023 Raymond Undergrounding Project Community Meeting
Placing overhead utility lines below city streets, or "undergrounding", has helped to beautify Pasadena, reduce the number of outages, enhance public safety and protect our urban forest.
Program Overview
Beautification and reliability have been at the forefront of a multi-year Capital Improvement Program, which began in 1968 with the Underground Utility District Program. Under this initiative, overhead utility systems -- including electric cable and telephone communication lines -- are relocated underground.
Construction Process
Before the city begins work, all affected property owners are notified. The city then installs underground vaults, transformers, conduit, drainage systems, and primary and secondary cables in the designated zone. Once complete, the city connects each property to the underground system and coordinates with telephone, cable and other utility providers to relocate their lines underground. Once the overhead lines are removed, PWP removes utility poles and coordinates with the Public Works Department to install new street lights (if necessary) and resurface the street.
Current Construction
PWP is currently working on engineering designs for Mountain Street (between Lake Ave and Hill Ave) and Raymond Avenue (Maple Street to north City limits) undergrounding projects; public meetings for both projects are being planned for Spring 2023 and construction is expected to begin in fiscal year 2025.
PWP will also be recommending establishing a new Underground Utility District on the northern portion of the Florecita Drive to the City Council.
Recently Completed Projects
PWP has completed undergrounding projects on Hill Avenue (between Villa Street and Topeka Street) and Alpine Street (stretching from Marengo Avenue to Oak Knoll Avenue) since 2016.
