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Transmission lines complicate proposed downtown streetscape; reroute could cost millions, staff told
Summary
Staff told the advisory committee that downtown poles carry transmission (high‑voltage) and distribution lines; burying transmission is highly expensive and technically difficult, one estimator suggested a reroute could cost $1–2 million while burying transmission lines could reach tens of millions.
Committee members heard from staff about technical and cost challenges posed by existing Pacific Power lines in the downtown corridor, a subject raised during planning for a potential streetscape project.
Jonathan summarized the utility briefing: the poles downtown carry both transmission (high‑voltage) and distribution lines. He said distribution lines are relatively feasible to place underground as part of a streetscape, but burying transmission lines is costly and technically complex. Staff reported an estimator suggested rerouting transmission lines along the highway and cutting back in at a later couplet might cost on the order of $1–2 million; full burial of transmission lines, the estimator said, could run into the tens of millions.
Members discussed alternatives, including using taller steel poles to improve viewscapes and negotiating during the upcoming franchise license renewal with Pacific Power as a potential funding or negotiating lever. Staff noted that Central Point’s successful streetscape involved only distribution lines, which made undergrounding feasible there; Phoenix’s presence of transmission lines through downtown presents a different constraint.
Ending: Staff will await cost estimates from the utility/estimator and return the numbers for further consideration as part of streetscape planning and any funding discussions.
