Pasadena, Calif. approves $44 million for undergrounding overhaul

Pasadena city council has approved a $43.95 million contract with Anixter, Inc., allowing Pasadena Water and Power to advance a critical infrastructure project to replace more than 200,000 ft of underground transmission cables, Pasadena Now reported. 

The project, known as the Path Two Cable Replacement, represents a crucial upgrade to the city’s electrical infrastructure. PWP officials emphasized the importance of replacing aging underground cables that serve more than half of the city’s power distribution system.

The contract includes a base amount of $37.2 million, with an additional $6.7 million in contingency funds to address recent copper price fluctuations. City officials noted that approximately 75% of the cable cost is driven by copper prices, which have shown significant volatility due to recent federal tariffs.

PWP plans to begin cable replacement in October 2026, with completion targeted before the summer of 2027. The project is strategically timed to minimize disruption to the city’s power supply and complete work before the Olympics.

The project involves not just cable replacement but also significant infrastructure improvements. PWP has already reinforced underground vaults and addressed environmental concerns, including asbestos removal from existing infrastructure.

The upgrade is part of PWP’s Power Delivery Master Plan, approved by the City Council in June 2022. The project aims to ensure reliable power transmission, particularly during peak demand periods, and supports the city’s commitment to maintaining critical infrastructure.

With the contract approved, PWP will proceed with procuring the necessary cables, with plans to seek a construction contractor later this year.

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