Monterey City Council moves to underground power lines on North Fremont.

If one were to stroll down the sidewalk on Monterey’s North Fremont Street, looking down at a phone to shoot off a text, one might walk head-on into a utility pole.

The city wants to change that: Monterey City Council voted Jan. 20 to prioritize undergrounding the power lines along the corridor, which – with its wide road, swift traffic and narrow sidewalks – still feels like it’s part of Highway 1.

“We’re trying to make it less of a thoroughfare and more of a destination,” says Monterey Planning Chief Chip Rerig.

City staff moved to prioritize the project. They hope to take advantage of upcoming North Fremont improvements made possible by a $6.4 million state grant.

Officials wouldn’t likely do the undergrounding until they finished street and sidewalk upgrades, Rerig says, but “[the city] can be planning in a very coordinated way.”

Staff estimate the cost of the undergrounding at $2.9 million. It would be funded by a reserve established by the California Public Utilities Commission Rule 20A, which requires utility companies to set aside funds for undergrounding. The city’s 20A balance is currently just above $3 million.

With City Council’s direction, planning staff will begin meeting with Pacific Gas & Electric and property owners to discuss scope and cost. They aim to return to the council within six months with an ordinance to form a new district for the project.

Monterey Senior Engineer Jeff Krebs says once the district is formed, the project will go into PG&E’s queue. It will take about five years before they break ground.