HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 UNDERGD ELECT 07-17-00DATE: JULY 17, 2000
TO:
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO USE PUC RULE 20A FUNDING TO UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL
DISTRIBUTION LINES FOR NEWPORT AVENUE EXTENSIONISR55 RAMP
RECONFIGURATION PROJECT (CIP 7130).
SUMMARY
Rule 20A is a funding program for constructing underground utilities in which Southern California
Edison allocates funds annually for projects on a City priority list. It is recommended that the City's Rule
20A project list priority be amended by adding the undergrounding of electrical distribution lines that
transverse the Newport Avenue Extension / SR 55 Ramp Reconfiguration Project (CIP 7130) and
establishing this project as the top priority for expenditure of Rule 20A funds. Undergrounding the
electrical lines in conjunction with the proposed roadway realignment will cause less disruption and be
less expensive than undergrounding the lines in the future after the poles have been relocated.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
.
Amend the City's Public Utility Commission (PUC) Rule 20A project list by adding the
undergrounding of the electrical distribution lines for the Newport Avenue Extension / SR 55
Ramp Reconfiguration Project (CIP 7130) and establishing it as the top priority project; and
.
Direct staff to commence the required proceedings to initiate an underground district for
undergrounding of electrical distribution lines within the Newport Avenue Extension / SR 55 Ramp
Reconfiguration Project (CIP 7130).
FISCAL IMPACT
The Newport Avenue Extension/SR 55 Ramp Reconfiguration Project (CIP 7130)is currently funded
from a combination of Tustin Redevelopment Agency - South Central funding and developer
contributions. The amount of available Rule 20A funds for this project is approximately $665,000.
The proposed CIP 2000/2001 budget includes utilization of these funds on the Newport Extension
Project. The Rule 20A funding is needed to supplement the current South Central Redevelopment
Agency funding required for the project. Future developers in the Pacific Center East area are
expected to contribute a fair share to the infrastructure cost.
BACKGROUND
The Newport Avenue Extension / SR 55 Ramp Reconfiguration Project reconstructs the exis'
northbound State Route 55 and Edinger Ave interchange to improve traffic circulation. The projc...
includes removal of loop ramps for northbound SR 55 and replacement by hook ramps. This work is
being completed in cooperation with Caltrans and includes a land exchange with Caltrans. The new
ramps will provide a connection with a new Newport Avenue and Edinger Avenue intersection. Del
Amo Avenue will also be reconstructed to provide a connection to the ramps. This construction is
being completed within the Pacific Center East Specific Plan area and will serve as an important
gateway into the City of Tustin. The construction plan, as defined in the Pacific Center East Specific
Plan, is to underground all the existing overhead utilities.
The existing overhead utility lines are depicted on the attached exhibit "A." In general, the existing
overhead utility lines run from near the west terminus of Valencia Avenue (at SR 55) to Del Amo
Avenue and then north along Del Amo Avenue to Edinger Avenue. There are several utility lines on
these poles including an electrical high voltage (66kV) line. A significant portion of this line is within a
Southern California Edison owned easement that has prior rights over the existing franchise
agreement and will require relocation from it to be a City cost.
Rule 20A is a funding program for undergrounding utilities in which Southern California Edison allocates
funds annually for projects on a City priority list. The City Council has established a priority list of projects
for undergrounding utilizing PUC Rule 20A funding. Since the program initiation four projects have been
completed or are in process of completion. The remaining projects on the current undergrounding list in
order of priority are as follows:
1. Red Hill Avenue between El Camino and Bryan Avenue.
2. Bryan Avenue/Main Street between Red Hill Avenue and Newport Avenue.
3. Main Street between "C" Street and the SR 55 Freeway.
4. El Camino Real between Newport Avenue and Browning Avenue.
5. Nisson Road between Pasadena Avenue and "B" Street.
6. Walnut Avenue between Red Hill Avenue and Browning Avenue
Under the current Rule 20A funding allocation process, Tustin receives approximately $200,057 per
year. The amount available for funding of a project can be advanced to the ending year of construction.
Southern California Edison has estimated Rule 20A funds of $665,000 would be available for this
project based on a completion of about December 2001. This amendment would defer the construction
of the projects on the current list by 2 to 3 years.
DISCUSSION
Newport Avenue Extension/SR 55 Ramp Reconfiguration Project (CIP 7130) is currently in the final
design and right of way acquisition phase. The total cost estimate for undergrounding on the Newport
Extension/SR 55 Ramp Reconfiguration Project has been prepared by Southem California Edison and
is shown below. (Credits for SCE responsibility for relocating from City easements and service
connections have been included).
I Total Underground Relocation Costs Funding Source
Underground Utility Distribution Lines (12kV), Newport $665,000 Rule 20A
Ave from Valencia Ave to Edinger Ave
Underground Utility Distribution Lines (12kV), within Del 375,000 South Central
Arno Avenue & Edinger Avenue RDA/Developer
Underground High Voltage (66kV), within Project Limits 1,275,000 South Central
RDA/Developer
TOTAL UNDERGROUNDING COST $2,315,000
As shown in the table above, about 2/3 of the cost for undergrounding the distribution lines are funded
by the Rule 20A funds while all of the high voltage undergrounding is funded South Central/Developer
funds. The Rule 20A segment of the undergounding includes the distribution facilities within the future
Newport Avenue extension from Valencia Avenue north to the future Newport Avenue/Edinger Avenue
intersection and across to the north side of Edinger Avenue (as shown on exhibit A). Rule 20A funds
were applied to this portion of the undergrounding project because Southern California Edison will also
provide coordination with other utility companies lines within the electrical distribution facility as well as
service connections to existing customers.
There are several justifications for establishing this project as the top priority on the City's Rule 20A
~riority list. The Newport Extension Project is a critical Capital Improvement Project that provides
important traffic capacity and circulation relief to the City. It is also a gateway to the southwestern portion
of the City from the SR 55 Freeway. If utilities remain overhead, this will detract from the potential uses
and value of the properties within the Pacific Center East as well as from the aesthetics of the gateway.
The current underground projects on the priority list do not include associated roadway improvement nor
have such an immediate impact to surrounding property.
Tim D. Serlet(,.,
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Dana R. Kasdan
Engineering Service Manager
TDS:RLS:DRK:ccg:request to use PUC Rule 20A funding.doc
Attachments:
Exhibit A-Electrical Facilities Map
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