Since the 1970s, the City of San Diego has steadily pursued a lofty goal of replacing aging overhead utility lines in every neighborhood with underground infrastructure. This sweeping initiative — the Utilities Undergrounding Program (UUP) — has buried more than 400 miles of utility lines citywide and now targets nearly 1,000 miles of remaining overhead wires across residential and commercial corridors.  

San Diego’s UUP is California’s largest municipal undergrounding program and is primarily funded by a surcharge, approved by the City Council in 2002, that San Diego residents pay on their San Diego Gas & Electric bill, to support accelerated undergrounding. As of 2025, 58 projects are underway, totaling $760 million — with 13% in construction, 40% in design and 47% in post-construction improvements. This marks an increase from 45 projects and $590 million in 2024. 

Why Does the City of San Diego Place Overhead Utilities Underground? 

The program aimed at moving utilities below ground provides some compelling benefits: 

• Safety & wildfire resilience: Burying power lines virtually eliminates risks from downed poles and sparks during storms and extreme conditions, bolstering fire safety and infrastructure protection. 

• Improved reliability: Underground systems are far less often disrupted by accidents, wind or falling trees, translating into fewer outages for households and businesses. 

• Cost savings over time: Although the upfront cost is steep, underground utilities require less maintenance and are insulated from weather-related wear, reducing lifetime expenses. 

• Urban beautification and modernization: Projects often include asphalt repaving, new streetlights, ADA curb ramps, and tree planting—creating cleaner, smarter streetscapes. 

• Supports, and is supported by, San Diego’s Climate Action Plan: By removing overhead obstructions, undergrounding allows for fuller tree canopies, carbon sequestration and shade. 

How the Program Works 

The UUP is a joint effort led by the City’s Transportation Department and San Diego Gas & Electric under the City’s franchise agreement. Each completed undergrounding project follows the same steps: 

1. Formation of underground utility districts: The San Diego City Council initiates each project by establishing an Underground Utility District via public hearings. Affected residents receive notice and maps of the proposed area, enabling feedback and official designation. 

2. Design phase: After district formation, a detailed design begins. Property owners and utilities collaborate to decide conduit routing, transformer/pedestal placement, streetlight locations and tree preservation. Community forums ensure final alignment before construction starts. 

3. Construction phase: Crews dig trenches, install conduit and connect each street frontage to private properties. When conduit is laid, cables are pulled, transformers are installed, systems are energized and customer changeover occurs. Overhead poles and lines are removed in the final 6–12 months. 

4. Post undergrounding improvements: Following utility completion, enhancements include ADA curb ramps, upgraded street lights, trees and street restoration per preservation ordinances. 

    

Recent Milestones & Community Impact 

San Diego continues to deliver impressive progress. In Rolando (March 2025), 47 utility poles were removed across nearly three miles, benefiting 307 properties. Work included roadway repaving, 38 new ramp installations, 48 streetlights and 35 trees. 

In Bay Park (April 2025), over 203 poles were removed, converting three miles of utility lines for 418 properties. The project yielded 56 ADA ramps and 34 streetlights. 

In February 2025, the City Council advanced plans for five neighborhoods — Barrio Logan, Jamacha Lomita, North Clairemont, and Kensington — allocating $190.8 million to underground electrical lines. Work will be integrated with street improvements, planning for four years of construction. 

Upgrades to the Program’s Web and Customer Service Experience  

San Diego’s undergrounding program now does more than bury lines—it brings residents along at every step of the process. Between an upgraded website, streamlined communications, and a strategic role overseeing outreach effectiveness, the City is transforming a decades-long infrastructure effort into a highly accessible and resident-centered experience. These improvements enhance program transparency and reinforce trust and collaboration as each neighborhood transitions underground. 

• Interactive undergrounding information map: The program’s revamped website features a dynamic Undergrounding Status Webmap — an intuitive, user-friendly tool that allows residents to track their neighborhood’s phase (Identified in Master Plan, Design, etc.). Notably, the map is updated regularly, offering real-time insight into project status and anticipated timelines. 

• Improved navigation & information architecture: The new layout highlights key sections like Active Projects, Undergrounding Process, Documents and FAQ prominently in the main menu. Each section is designed for clarity. 

• Multi-channel advanced notifications: The City now ensures residents receive clear, phased notifications, including letters alerting residents of upcoming construction start dates, helping them prepare in advance. Door hangers, typically distributed three weeks before trenching begins, provide timely reminders about on-street disruptions. 

• Streamlined “permission to enter” process: A formal permit to enter (PTE) form — enclosed with the communication package — simplifies granting consent for private property access when underground connections are needed. Timely submission ensures cost-free conversion of electrical panels. 

• Preconstruction forums: Public meetings enable deeper community feedback during the design phase. Residents discuss conduits, streetlight placement, transformer locations and even tree preservation. This two-tiered outreach — predesign and preconstruction — gives the community concrete opportunities to shape outcomes before finalizing plans. 

• Post completion ceremonies and follow-ups: In communities where the undergrounding process has been completed, like Rolando and Bay Park, the City hosts visible "pole-out" celebrations, reinforcing transparency and highlighting project outcomes. These also offer a platform for City and SDG&E staff to outline next steps, such as street repaving, ADA ramp installation and tree planting. 

• Consistent online updates: The Active Projects section lists all current programs with clear phase indicators (Design, Construction, post-improvement), enabling residents to track progress across multiple neighborhoods quickly. 

Looking Ahead  

With about 400 miles completed and another 1,000 to go, full implementation could take several decades at the current pace. The City and SDG&E aim for 15 miles per year, but funding, costs and complexities — especially in hilly or densely built areas — pose challenges. Despite the challenges ahead, each completed project nurtures safer, more reliable, and visually appealing neighborhoods. With strong community engagement, equitable rollout and long-term vision, San Diego is gradually reshaping its streetscape, transforming overhead eyesores into modern underground corridors. 

San Diego’s Utilities Undergrounding Program is a long-term investment in safety, climate resilience and city livability.