Power Lines Seem to be Everywhere (Austin, San Marcos: neighborhoods, utilities, living)

[MedicalPartisan]

Hi all. As you may or may not know, I've not yet been to Austin. One thing I've seemed to notice, though, is that power lines seem to be everywhere. Is it ever an 'issue' with locals? Has it ever been brought up? Perhaps this is normal for bigger cities and nobody really cares? Obviously it's much easier said than done but I think if they took them under ground the city would be even more beautiful than it already is.

[scm53]

Those aren't in Austin. They are in San Marcos, to our south.

[Trainwreck20]

There are a lot of power lines above ground, but it isn't anything special for Austin, it is everywhere. There was a recent discussion in D.C. about burying the power lines, but it would cost many, many billions to do.

[MedicalPartisan]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

There are a lot of power lines above ground, but it isn't anything special for Austin, it is everywhere. There was a recent discussion in D.C. about burying the power lines, but it would cost many, many billions to do.

Billions!? Wow. Definitely knew it wouldn't be cheap but that's insane. Seems like it will have to be done at some point, though.

[ScoPro]

Up here in Brushy Creek MUD most of ours are buried, as they are in a lot of the suburbs.

Lots of power lines around central Austin just like most cities I've been to (including beautiful San Francisco).

[owlman]

Yep, it sure would look nicer with them buried (and more newly developed neighborhoods do), but don't pretty much all cities have them? You don't have any overhead power lines in Pensacola?

[mark311]

Originally Posted by WDaleHerring

Billions!? Wow. Definitely knew it wouldn't be cheap but that's insane. Seems like it will have to be done at some point, though.

It probably will, but somebody will have to pay for it. You can see the details of this type of project that has been underway in San Diego along with pictures that show it isn't an easy task at the link below. There's an 18 minute video link called "Watch the Utilities Undergrounding video" on the front page of the link below. I don't think that this is something that Austin could handle any time soon. I can't even imagine the street closures that it would cause.

Underground Utilities Program | City of San Diego

Here is a great quote from the San Diego site:

"In the City approximately $54 million per year is spent to convert unsightly overhead power and communication lines with safer and more reliable underground systems. These funds are dedicated exclusively for undergrounding and may not be used by the City for other purposes.

Although the City has been undergrounding lines since 1970, approximately 1,000 miles of overhead utility lines remain to be undergrounded. It is estimated that nearly all residential areas will be completed within the next 54 years."

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

Up here in Brushy Creek MUD most of ours are buried, as they are in a lot of the suburbs.

Lots of power lines around central Austin just like most cities I've been to (including beautiful San Francisco).

It's interesting how some of the newest development 'up here' gets really close to the huge 'transmission line farms'(or whatever they're called). Part of the new Northwoods and Avery Ranch Ingleside neighborhoods have a lovely view of the 'farm'; but the vast majority of power lines in the residential areas ARE buried. It is actually a consideration for us when looking for a home. Having a power pole in my front yard back in Atlanta(on the GROUND after an ice storm) gave me good reason to avoid living around above-ground lines.

[unihills]

Originally Posted by scm53

Those aren't in Austin. They are in San Marcos, to our south.

12th and Chicon intersection, White Swan bar is definitely Austin. Not sure why you would think this is San Marcos.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by owlman

Yep, it sure would look nicer with them buried (and more newly developed neighborhoods do), but don't pretty much all cities have them? You don't have any overhead power lines in Pensacola?

Apparently they do.