Undergrounding Power Lines
Benefits of Undergrounding
Major storms in the past have impacted our overhead circuits and caused power outages. As research on climate change indicates the potential for more frequent and destructive storms, we have started a program aimed to underground overhead power lines so they will no longer be affected. Doing this will not only help prevent future customer outages, but also remove the risks associated with downed live power lines.
The areas in which we are piloting this program were selected based on the following criteria:
- Prior large or recurring outages.
- Critical customers, such as hospitals and emergency facilities.
- Customers in designated “disadvantaged communities.”
- High risk of tree damage.
- Cost-effectiveness of undergrounding in comparison to other solutions.
Current Undergrounding Projects
We have completed undergrounding projects in Yorktown and Middle Village, and are continuing to work on undergrounding projects in the following neighborhoods:
Westchester
- Greenburgh
- Cortlandt
Brooklyn
- Flatlands
Queens
- Middle Village (Second phase)
Staten Island
- New Brighton
- Travis
- Rosebank
Live Near an Undergrounding Site? Here’s What You Can Expect:
- Evaluation: Con Edison personnel may visit your neighborhood to conduct field inspections of existing equipment.
- Survey: We’ll perform surveys either on the roadway or while placing stakes on the grass to mark the right-of-way. Please do not remove the stakes—we use them to mark your property line and perform our work safely.
- Notifications: We will let you know about 10 days before construction starts in your neighborhood so you can make travel and parking arrangements ahead of time. Look for an email or flyer in your mailbox with details about how construction may affect you or your business.
If the project includes optional service undergrounding, you may receive a letter in the mail asking whether you would like to convert your service. - Construction: You will see construction equipment on the roadway performing the work, with some temporary lane closures. If you opted for the service conversion, we will be coordinating all construction activities on your property according to your schedule.
- Restoration: We will perform final restoration to all disturbed areas, both on roadways and on your property, after we complete construction.
You may notice:
- Construction noise from jackhammering, digging, and repaving the streets.
- Stakes on your property to mark your property line and our underground utilities. It’s very important that you do not remove these markers as they are necessary to place our equipment accurately.
- Temporary relocation of bike and bus lanes, as well as traffic detours.
- Temporary loss of parking spots.
- Temporary on-street storage of construction materials.
Your electric service will not be affected. You’ll still have the same, reliable power throughout the project’s duration.
If you opt to convert your service, you’ll experience a momentary outage when we switch your service over to the new system. We’ll let you know ahead of time when you can expect this temporary service interruption.
We’ll work as safely and efficiently as possible to minimize disruptions as we install the infrastructure necessary to continue to provide resilient, reliable energy to our customers.