Existing utilities are placed underground through the Rule 20A Program. The County and City coordinate establishment of underground utility districts in consultation with the utility providers and the public in order to facilitate the work. Rule 20A projects are focused in areas that 1) undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead facilities, 2) where the street or road is extensively used by the general public and carries a high volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or 3) the street or road adjoins or passes through an area of scenic interest. This project is located along Pioneer Trail, approximately from Black Bart Ave to Jicarilla Dr.
Prior to this project there were a multitude of overhead wires along the south side of Pioneer Trail. The undergrounding of utilities along this stretch enables the restoration of scenic qualities of the natural appearing landscape. In addition, the conversion of power lines and utilities to underground can eliminate safety issues that arise from vehicles crashing into poles or from vegetation igniting fire when contacting the overhead conductors.