Utility Undergrounding

Many residents and businesses are interested in converting from overhead electrical lines to below-ground electrical lines. Undergrounding of the overhead wires improves the neighborhood aesthetics.

Undergrounding improves safety by removing the overhead wires that may arc or be brought down during storms. Poles and wires that may also block egress after an earthquake or fire are removed.

Undergrounding is overseen by the Public Works Agency Electrical Services Division.

Current Project:

• Improvements coming to MacArthur Boulevard in East Oakland
  The Public Works Agency, in cooperation with the Community and Economic Development Agency and local utilities, is launching a major improvement project along MacArthur Boulevard. Work will include undergrounding all overhead utility lines and constructing widened sidewalks and other improvements at key locations.
  • Project Update #1 (pdf format)
  • Project Update #2 (pdf format)
  • Project Update #3 (pdf format)
  • Project Update #4 (pdf format)
  • Project Update #5 (pdf format)
  • Project Update #6 (pdf format)
  • Project Update #7 (pdf format)

Planned Project:

• Piedmont Pines Undergrounding
  The Public Works Agency, Electrical Services Division, in cooperation with local utilities, is planning a large underground project in the Piedmont Pines area of the City of Oakland. Work will underground utility lines. New streetlights with underground feed will replace the existing lights.
  • Streetlight Community Meeting on 11/9/2005 (pdf format)

Property owners who are interested in having the electrical wires undergrounded in their neighborhood can petition the City of Oakland. There are two different ways to do this:

• Under Rule 20A, the cost is paid by PG&E, Pacific Bell, AT&T Broadband and the property owners. There is a waiting list of about 40 years for this program.
  • Petition to request undergrounding in your neighborhood using Rule 20A (71KB)
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Rule 20A (95 KB)
  • Link to PG&E's website with the text of Rule 20A (requires Microsoft Word)
• Under Rule 20B, all costs paid by the property owners. Currently there is no waiting list for this program.
  • Petition to request undergrounding in your neighborhood using Rule 20B (71 KB)
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Rule 20B (93 KB)
  • Link to PG&E's website with the text of Rule 20B (requires Microsoft Word)

MacArthur Blvd is the most recently established Underground Utility District.

• Click here to see the Resolution Establishing MacArthur Blvd as an Underground Utility District (77 KB)
• Click here to see the map showing the boundary of MacArthur Underground Utility District (133 MB)

Click here to see a list of projects on the Rule 20A waiting list as of November 2007. This file includes all current undergrounding projects. (7 KB)

Click here to see a list of streets already undergrounded.

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