PROJECT NO. CIP 97-182 MYRTLE AVENUE UNDERGROUNDING AND
PROJECT NO. CIP 97-183 LOMA DRIVE UNDERGROUNDING
STATUS REPORT

 

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.

 

Summary:

This report covers the progress made to date in the two utility undergrounding districts.

Edison is currently in the process of completing conversions in the Myrtle District. The recently installed underground system became operational and was tested on Friday, April 20, 2001. The system passed the 24-hour test successfully and the Edison crew immediately began the homeowner conversions. As of this date, conversion of homes on the west side of Hermosa Avenue (The Strand) from 24th Street to 26th Street, all of Myrtle Avenue and all of Silverstrand Avenue have been completed and all the poles within those locations have been topped off (power lines, transformers, and all other electrical components except the street lights have been removed). The remaining wires are telephone wires and Verizon, with its subcontractor, SECC, is currently in the process of completing phone conversions in these areas. Their schedule calls for completion of phone service conversions by June 15, 2001. The pole removal process will begin after all overhead phone lines have been removed in the district.

Edison has ordered the materials to begin work with the installation of primary cables in the Loma District. They plan to begin work by May 20, 2001. Due to limited staffing, Edison’s crew will temporarily stop work in Myrtle District and return once the work in the Loma District is completed. This includes primary wiring, setting of four new poles on the district periphery, and installation of the necessary components in the vaults.

 

Work Completed :

The substructure installation of ducts for electricity, telephone and cable has been completed per the original design plans. The placement of vaults, pull boxes, hand-holes and laterals to residents, as indicated in the initially drawn plans, have also been completed. Pavement repairs, striping, and final clean up of the reconstructed areas within the districts have been completed as well. The homeowners’ power services at Strand addresses from 24th Street to 26th Street, Myrtle Avenue, and Silverstrand Avenue have been 100% switched underground.

 

Work in Progress:

Edison is completing conversions on 24th Street and the north side of Hermosa Avenue and Ozone Avenue. They plan to finish these locations by mid-May 2001, and will then finish the district by the beginning of June 2001. Installation of temporary streetlights within the district is underway and those lights will remain in place until all poles have been removed. The permanent lights will then be installed. Verizon is placing their main cables within the district and will begin the homeowners’ conversions thereafter.

 

Work Remaining:

Two homeowners in Loma District have not done any work at their properties for the required conversions and are currently red-marked as non-compliant. The City has begun the process of performing the work at those two locations and will bill the homeowners via tax bills for the costs incurred. Edison’s work schedule in the Loma District has yet to be finalized. Due to the assignment of only one Edison crew for both districts, their work in the Loma District will be delayed. Verizon is expected to begin their work in the Loma District as soon as their work in the Myrtle District has been completed. While cable has already been undergrounded in the Myrtle District, Adelphia is on call should there be any problems.

 

Conclusions:

The level of cooperation of the homeowners in the Myrtle District has been extraordinary. We anticipate the same level of cooperation of the property owners in the Loma District, as they are just as anxious to see the project completed.