Last Tuesday, the Del Mar City Council got a status check on the city’s multi-year utility undergrounding program and what is still left to build. Staff and the Undergrounding Program Advisory Committee reported that work in Stratford Court South is close to wrapping up, with utility companies moving into final service cutovers and preparing to pull out the last poles. Councilmembers were also told to expect a staff presentation on long-term financing options at the March 1 meeting.
Stratford Court South by the numbers
The staff packet and public filings lay out the headline figures. Undergrounding Utility District 1A, better known as Stratford Court South, covers roughly 227 properties and includes about 56 poles scheduled for removal. The district will convert roughly 7,500 feet of overhead cable into approximately 11,165 feet of underground trench. About 54 to 55 property owners were notified that they must install private service laterals at their own expense before utilities can complete final cutovers, according to a city notice posted via The Coast News.
On-the-ground work: trenching, cutovers, pole removals
Teichert Utilities has substantially completed trenching along with installation of conduit and substructures in Stratford Court South, so the day-to-day focus has shifted to utility service cutovers and getting ready for pole removals. The city's construction updates note that telecommunications firms and SDG&E are finishing service work in phases, and that pole removal is the final step before crews move to final paving and street restoration, according to the City of Del Mar.
Financing still unsettled
The long-term funding plan for the broader undergrounding program is still not locked in. Staff have prepared cash-flow models that will help the council decide whether to borrow in order to accelerate construction or stick with a slower pay-as-you-go approach. The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank has already approved an $11 million loan for some upcoming districts, and recent lower-than-expected SDG&E cost estimates have eased some near-term budget pressure, according to IBank.
Council to tackle funding in March
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the council plans to consider long-term funding options for the undergrounding effort at its first March meeting, when staff will present updated cash-flow scenarios. That conversation could determine whether Stratford Court North and Crest Canyon stay on the city’s current construction timetable, per The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Legal obligations and private costs
Public records and the state CEQA filing for the Stratford Court South work make clear that private service laterals are the responsibility of individual property owners, and that these must be installed before utilities can perform final connections. The CEQA record also maps the district, covering Stratford Court between 4th and 12th Streets, and lists the exemptions and permits associated with the project, per the CEQA filing.
How residents can track progress
Residents can sign up for project updates, watch council meetings online, and review construction schedules, FAQs, and contact information on the city’s undergrounding pages. The project hotline and staff email remain the fastest way to get district-specific timing. For ongoing schedules and notices, see the City of Del Mar.
