PG&E undergrounds Avila Beach power lines to reduce wildfire risk
– Pacific Gas and Electric Company will begin a power line modernization project in Avila Beach on July 20 to reduce wildfire risk and improve electric reliability in a high-fire-risk area of San Luis Obispo County.
The project includes removing 3,600 feet of overhead power lines along the Bob Jones Trail and replacing them with 7,200 feet of underground power lines along San Luis Bay Drive from Ontario Road to Avila Village Market.
“Undergrounding nearly eliminates wildfire ignition risk by moving power lines away from trees, branches, wind and other hazards that can damage equipment and potentially spark a fire,” said Pacific Gas and Electric Company Regional Senior Manager Jeremy Howard. “In Avila Beach, we’re pairing that work with targeted overhead upgrades so we can address wildfire safety and reliability at the same time.”
About 100 feet of power line will remain overhead near the trail. That section will be insulated, which the utility said will reduce ignition risk by nearly 67%.
The project also includes upgrading 800 feet of power lines between Avila Beach Drive and San Luis Street to carry more electricity safely. Crews will install equipment designed to manage voltage and automatically isolate problems on the line, reducing the number of customers affected during outages.
“This project is about making the system safer, stronger and better able to keep power flowing, especially during extreme weather and high fire-risk conditions,” Howard said.
Construction is expected to continue through December, weather and other conditions permitting. Crews are expected to work Monday through Friday during daytime hours.
Partial road closures are expected along San Luis Bay Drive, and portions of the Bob Jones Trail may close as work progresses. Traffic control will be in place, and residents and visitors should expect delays in the area.
For more information, visit pge.com or pge.com/news.
