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Council amends underground utility district to include eight parcels for I‑80/Central Avenue interchange
Summary
The Richmond City Council unanimously adopted a resolution expanding Underground Utility District No. 2022‑1 to add eight adjacent parcels so PG&E can underground utility poles tied to the I‑80/Central Avenue interchange improvement project.
The Richmond City Council on Oct. 7 unanimously adopted a resolution amending the boundaries of Underground Utility District No. 2022‑1 to include eight adjacent parcels along Central Avenue, a change staff said is needed so Pacific Gas & Electric can underground poles serving the interchange improvement project.
City engineers told the council the amendment aligns the district with the poles and properties that PG&E must serve to deliver Rule 20 undergrounding credits for the I‑80/Central Avenue project. "My name is Hilal Hamdan, senior civil engineer, public works. I'm the project manager for this, Central Avenue, this project," said Hilal Hamdan during the council presentation.
The amendment follows an earlier district resolution adopted in 2022. Robert Armijo, deputy public works director and city engineer, and Hamdan explained the change adds eight parcels that are served by three poles within the original boundary and that PG&E requested the adjustment so those properties can be included in the undergrounding work. Armijo told the council the work is a multi‑agency effort with the City of El Cerrito and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority; El Cerrito is completing a parallel boundary process for parcels on its side of Central Avenue.
Staff said PG&E has given a tentative 2027 schedule for the utility work and estimated about three months for the underground construction once scheduled; the city's roadway portion of the I‑80/Central Avenue interchange project is planned to begin in summer 2028 or sooner if timelines are accelerated. Hamdan summarized the intended benefits as reducing congestion and improving pedestrian and ADA access by adding sidewalks, signals and turn lanes.
No public speakers addressed the item during the hearing. A council motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded; the roll call vote was unanimous in favor (Brown, Bonner, Jimenez, Wilson, Robinson, Vice Mayor Zepeda and Mayor Martinez voting yes). The council clerk recorded the motion as adopted.
The resolution instructs staff to amend the legal boundary of Underground Utility District No. 2022‑1 to incorporate the eight parcels, ensuring the undergrounding work can proceed consistently with the project's original intent.
