Update on City's Webster Point Underground Electrical Work Underway Till Next March

In March of this year, Seattle City Light began upgrading the capacity and reliability of the electrical system near Webster Point, which has affected 84 residences in that area, including approximately NE 33^rd Street on the north, Webster Point Road NE on the south, East Laurelhurst Drive NE on the east and West Laurelhurst Drive NE on the west. 

The work will take about one year to complete installation of underground conduits, vaults, and equipment in order to replace outdated 4kV electrical equipment with updated 26kV infrastructure throughout Webster Point.

 

Mark Vanoss, with Seattle City Light, sent an update:

Since the update below sent to Webster Point customers last week, City Light’s contractor has poured concrete for sidewalks and driveways an additional 200 feet south of the intersection of NE 31st Street and East Laurelhurst Drive NE.

 

Dear Webster Point Customer,
Work is progressing on Seattle City Light's project to improve the electrical capacity and reliability in Webster Point. We hope the "Project Update" section below helps explain the latest information about the work.

See the project contact information at the bottom of the email if you have further questions.

Thank you for your patience during this infrastructure upgrade.

PROJECT UPDATE (5/18/2015)

City Light's contractor has completed duct bank and vault installation work from NE 33rd Street to NE 31st Street along East Laurelhurst Drive NE. Concrete has been restored for driveways, roadway, and sidewalks in this area and more than half of the parking strip
will be restored by early this week. The project is progressing on schedule and crews will
continue working their way south. See recent photos.

 

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Seattle City Light plans to improve the capacity, technology and reliability of the electrical
system in your neighborhood. The project involves installing underground conduits, vaults,
and equipment in order to replace outdated 4kV electrical equipment with updated 26kV infrastructure.

 
PROJECT BENEFITS

• Installing conduit and vaults will protect the higher-capacity 26kV system, increasing reliability. The current 4kV cable is buried directly in the ground. 

• The new 26kV electrical system will have more switching points, resulting in shorter outages with fewer customers affected when maintenance is required.  

PROJECT TIMELINE AND IMPACTS

• City Light hired contractor, KC Equipment.
  See estimated timeline and project sequence below.              
• Maintenance outages may be required. If required, customers will be notified in advance.
• Trenching will occur in the public right-of-way. Affected landscaping, sod, driveway aprons, and sidewalks will be restored to City standards.
• Parking restrictions are necessary to work safely/efficiently. Trenches will be covered and protected at night.
• Once conduit and vault installation are complete, the electrical cable will be pulled into place at a later date. At that time, maintenance outages will be necessary. Customers will receive advance notification.

TIMING AND COORDINATION

Construction Start: Early March 2015

Duration: The entire project is expected to last approximately one year.

Schedule: Construction hours are planned for Mon-Fri from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sequence: Construction started at the intersection of NE 33rd Street and East Laurelhurst Drive NE and is expected to proceed around the loop clockwise back up to NE 33rd Street
and finish off towards the west end of NE 33rd Street. This could change to accommodate
construction modifications.

 

MORE INFORMATION

Patty Breidenbach

Electrical Service Representative

Patty.Breidenbach@seattle.gov

(206) 684-4795

 http://www.seattle.gov/light/aboutus/construction/release.asp?RN=328*

*A PowerPoint is available on our website with more detailed information