Undergrounding
Kiewit selected for underground utility relocation on Québec City tramway
Kiewit has been selected to perform underground utility relocation along key corridors of Québec City’s $7.6-billion tramway project, marking a major preparatory phase in the development of the urban transit infrastructure system.
LSC to build 240-mile underground dark fiber network in Indianapolis
Light Source Communications plans to build a 240-mile underground dark fiber network across Indianapolis, expanding data center connectivity with five new metro fiber rings scheduled for completion in 2027.
LA community considers infrastructure overhaul prioritizing underground utilities
Pacific Palisades officials are weighing a utility undergrounding master plan and temporary halt on street tree planting as Los Angeles looks to rebuild safer, more resilient infrastructure following the 2025 wildfire.
Virginia advances pilot for underground 500-kV transmission lines
Virginia legislation would expand the state’s underground transmission pilot to allow up to four 500-kV projects, requiring localities to cover at least 50% of undergrounding costs.
Canada plans active building of underground transmission infrastructure
Canada is accelerating plans to expand underground transmission infrastructure as utilities modernize aging grids, harden systems against extreme weather and prepare for rising urban electricity demand.
Coastal Fla. community advances $80-million utility undergrounding project
A South Florida coastal community is moving toward an $80 million island-wide utility undergrounding program, aiming to bury power and telecom lines to improve storm resilience and long-term reliability. Officials are weighing full underground conversion against rising costs, limited utility cost-sharing, and coordination with stormwater upgrades.
Altadena residents rebuilding after fire face new costs from undergrounding plan
Altadena residents say SoCal Edison’s wildfire mitigation plan to bury power lines is leaving homeowners with unexpected bills of up to $40,000, sparking backlash as rebuilding continues after the Eaton Fire.
Baltimore Key Bridge rebuild hits $5.2 billion as pier protection drives costs
The cost to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has doubled to as much as $5.2 billion, driven by expanded pier protection, deeper foundations, and updated safety standards.
Box culvert, piling and bridge substructure work advance across north Mississippi
Box culvert installation, driven piling and bridge foundation work are moving forward on multiple MDOT projects across north Mississippi, supporting long-term structural and drainage improvements.
California city completes major Foothills utility undergrounding project
Palo Alto Utilities is completing a $11 million project to underground electric and fiber lines in the Foothills, cutting wildfire risk, improving reliability, and reducing the need for power shutoffs in high fire threat areas.
Dominion proposes 186-mile underground HVDC power line across Virginia
Virginia officials have backed Dominion Energy’s proposal for a 186-mile underground HVDC transmission line designed to boost electric capacity into Loudoun County as regional demand continues to surge.
Underground gas line strike triggers Bay Area explosion, injures six amid utility work
A construction crew struck an underground gas line in Ashland, California, triggering a massive explosion that destroyed homes and injured six people. PG&E confirmed the leak occurred before workers isolated the damaged line.
LA County pushes to bury overhead power lines after wildfires, but telecom holdouts stall progress
Los Angeles County officials are pushing to move power lines underground after recent wildfires, but progress has stalled as telecom providers refuse to remove their overhead cables, forcing the county to consider legal action.
Isla Mujeres begins underground power conversion along Rueda Medina Avenue
Crews in Isla Mujeres have begun replacing overhead power lines with an underground system along Rueda Medina Avenue, part of a modernization effort to improve storm resilience and restore the island’s iconic streetscape.
Public support for undergrounding surges as regulators debate long-term plans
A new statewide poll shows nearly 90% of Californians support undergrounding power lines to reduce wildfire risk—just as the CPUC prepares to vote on guidelines that could shape future projects. Utilities warn proposed rules may limit long-term undergrounding efforts even as public demand continues to climb.
Washington adopts data-driven tools to plan underground power corridors
Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is using WSP’s new Spatial Decision Support mapping platform to modernize siting and permitting for high-voltage transmission lines, including underground infrastructure.
PG&E completes 1,000 miles of undergrounding in wildfire-prone Calif. regions
PG&E has completed 1,000 miles of underground powerlines in high fire–risk areas of California, part of a broader system-hardening effort to cut wildfire risk. The utility aims to reach 1,600 miles of underground lines by 2026 while lowering costs through more efficient construction methods.
Idaho approves burial of Snake River gas pipeline to replace aging span
The Bureau of Land Management has approved plans to relocate and bury a natural gas pipeline under Idaho’s Snake River, replacing an aging aboveground span near American Falls.
Boulder, Colo., moves utilities underground at Chautauqua to cut wildfire risk
Boulder is undergrounding utilities at Chautauqua, relocating power lines and fiber while upgrading water systems to cut wildfire risk and improve reliability.
Transmission shortfalls leave India’s renewables underutilized, IEEFA warns
India’s renewable energy boom is stalling as transmission projects fall behind. An IEEFA and JMK Research report warns more than 50 GW remain stranded due to grid delays, underutilized corridors, and slow expansion.
Kenya builds $120 million transmission line to carry geothermal power across western region
Kenya is investing $120 million in an 81-km (50-mile) transmission line to move geothermal power from Olkaria to western regions, strengthening the grid and cutting reliance on costly gas turbines.
Hartford, Conn., begins $316 million underground transmission upgrade
Eversource is rolling out a $316 million underground transmission line modernization in Hartford, replacing 7 miles of aged oil-filled cable with safer, longer-lasting XLPE technology.
Sumitomo begins $546 million, 186-mile underground cable in Germany
Sumitomo Electric has started installing a $546 million, 186-mile HVDC underground cable for Germany’s Corridor A-Nord project, boosting renewable integration and grid reliability.
Florida city set to finish first phase of $18 million underground power line project
Gulf Breeze, Fla., is nearing completion of phase one in its $18 million project to move utility lines underground, a major step toward boosting storm resilience and reducing prolonged outages.
Colorado approves $1.9 billion wildfire mitigation plan with undergrounding, grid hardening
Colorado regulators approved Xcel Energy’s $1.9 billion wildfire mitigation plan, which includes undergrounding power lines, replacing aging infrastructure, and expanding fire risk monitoring to protect communities.
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.
Astound to build $34 million fiber-optic network in Orland Park, Ill.
Astound Broadband has begun a $34 million project to extend 285 miles of underground fiber-optic cable across Orland Park and nearby suburbs, the company said June 24.
SCE to bury 63 miles of new power lines in fire-damaged Altadena, Calif.
Southern California Edison will install 63 miles of underground electrical lines in Altadena, starting in 2025. The project targets fire-damaged areas and supports future clean energy needs.
Underground power line pilot cuts storm outages to zero in Michigan counties
Consumers Energy reports early success from its 9-mile underground power line pilot, with data showing zero storm-related outages in pilot areas so far in 2025—outperforming surrounding overhead systems.
Assessment finds undergrounding work in Conn. would cost $500 million more than overhead solution
United Illuminating has completed a third-party cost estimate, finding that undergrounding a key section of electric transmission lines between Bridgeport and Fairfield would cost approximately $838 million, as opposed to the $306 million estimate for an overhead solution. The added cost would fall solely on Connecticut ratepayers.
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility