SAN DIEGO (CNS) - City leaders and San Diego Gas & Electric Tuesday removed the last overhead utility pole in the La Jolla Shores neighborhood, marking the completion of the second phase of construction on the La Jolla Circuit 1J Undergrounding Project.
That project, which began in 2019, has built 1.8 miles of underground electrical, telephone and broadband service utilities that serve 81 homes. It has also provided five new streetlights and 14 ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps and includes the planting of approximately 24 new street trees in the neighborhood, according to city records.
"The last pole ceremony gives us pause to recognize the city/SDG&E partnership that brings these projects to completion," said Councilman Joe LaCava, who represents the neighborhood. "That is worth taking a moment to celebrate as another neighborhood enjoys the benefit of utilities that are safer and more reliable."
“This area serves so many people for the entire city,” said Janie Emerson, president of the La Jolla Shores Association. “This isn’t just for our neighborhood, it’s for everybody who comes to the Shores, all the visitors and everybody from every places else in San Diego.”
An SDG&E representative told ABC 10News construction on a project like this on average takes about two years. But before the undergrounding can be turned on for customers, their electrical equipment on their homes must be compliant or up to code.
The event is one small piece of a massive undertaking. According to the city, it is relocating around 15 miles of overhead utility lines underground throughout the city each year with 1,000 miles remaining. The city estimates that nearly all residential areas will be completed within the next 54 years.
“Replacing overhead utility cables with underground connections improves public safety, aesthetics for our communities, as well as the overall liability and resiliency of our critical utilities systems,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
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