The District of Columbia is taking significant steps to enhance its electrical infrastructure in response to an increase in violent storms that have led to widespread power outages. In collaboration with Pepco, the district plans to move many overhead power lines underground, a project aimed at improving resiliency and reducing future outages.

Residents in neighborhoods affected by this construction will receive advance notifications, including the posting of no parking signs. The construction process will begin with careful coordination of impacted streets and sidewalks, ensuring minimal disruption to daily activities. Flaggers will be present to guide vehicles and pedestrians safely around construction zones.

Before any excavation begins, existing utility lines will be identified and marked to prevent damage. While some vegetation, including small plants and trees, may need to be removed to facilitate the work, efforts will be made to preserve as much greenery as possible. Any public property disturbed during the project will be restored to its original condition post-construction.

The construction will involve the use of asphalt saws to cut pavement and backhoes to dig trenches for the new underground distribution lines. Manholes and tapholes will be installed along the primary line for equipment housing and maintenance access. To comply with safety regulations, shoring will be implemented in trenches to ensure stability.

Pepco will utilize fiberglass or plastic PVC conduits to protect the underground power lines, with concrete poured into the trenches to secure the conduits. Temporary steel plates will cover the trenches to allow for continued vehicle traffic until the concrete sets and the area is repaved. Transformers, switches, and other necessary equipment will be installed in either the roadway or sidewalk, depending on available space.

This initiative marks a proactive approach by the District of Columbia and Pepco to bolster the reliability of the power supply and mitigate the impact of severe weather on the community.