Undergrounding (Finally) Coming Soon to University Heights: What to Expect Next
The City of San Diego is moving forward with its ambitious Utilities Undergrounding Program (UUP), and University Heights is next on the list! Our neighborhood is divided into 10 project areas. The first, designated as UHTS-02, has officially entered the design phase.
Current Status and Timeline
The design for UHTS-02 is 30% complete. While a firm construction start date has not been set yet, we can look forward to the following upcoming milestones:
At 60% Design Completion: The city will host a community forum. Property owners can expect to receive an invitation to this meeting within the next 12 to 24 months.
Community Input: This forum is a critical opportunity for us to provide feedback on the placement of new utility boxes and streetlights while the design is still flexible.
Final Design: Following the forum, the design team will finalize plans and transition into the construction phase.
Construction Methods
To minimize neighborhood disruption, contractors will evaluate each property to determine the best installation method. They will look at two main options:
Trenching or Boring: Traditional excavation.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD): A "trenchless" method that uses a surface-launched rig to install conduits along a set path. This significantly reduces surface damage and environmental impact.
Responsibilities for Property Owners
While the UUP is funded by a surcharge on SDG&E bills, some responsibilities and potential costs may fall to individual homeowners.
Contractors will connect the new underground lines to your existing electrical service. However, if your current electrical panel is outdated or in poor condition, you may be required to upgrade the panel at your own expense to meet safety standards.
Next Steps: What You Need to Do Now
Nothing is happening imminently. Property owners won't be able to inquire about specifics regarding their individual properties until the community forum is announced (when the design phase reaches 60%).
Stay Informed
Property owners in the UHTS-02 area should have received a detailed fact sheet by mail in October of last year. For ongoing updates:
Watch for: Upcoming door tags and official mailers.
Online Resources: Visit the City of San Diego Undergrounding Process page (www.sandiego.gov/undergrounding/process) for a full description, and keep an eye on our local site at www.uhsd.org for updates.