The District of Columbia is taking significant steps to enhance its power 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 the resilience of the electrical system.

Residents in neighborhoods affected by the construction will receive advance notifications, including the posting of no parking signs to facilitate the work. The construction process will begin with careful coordination of impacted streets and sidewalks, ensuring that traffic and pedestrian flow are managed effectively through the use of flaggers.

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

The construction will involve the use of asphalt saws to cut pavement, with backhoes digging trenches for the placement of distribution lines. Additional holes will be created along the main line for equipment access and maintenance. To comply with safety regulations, shoring will be implemented in the 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 maintain road usability during the construction phase. Once the concrete has set, the plates will be removed, and the area will be repaved. Transformers, switches, and other necessary equipment will be installed either in the roadway or on the sidewalk, depending on the available space.

This initiative marks a proactive approach by the District of Columbia and Pepco to bolster the reliability of power services in the face of increasingly severe weather events.