Expect delays as Liberty Utilities, AT&T and Charter underground wires on Apache

MEYERS, Calif. - Expect traffic delays along Apache Avenue in Meyers into October as crews move approximately 2,500 feet of overhead power lines underground. They will also be moving communication lines owned by AT&T and Charter underground as well.

The work will be done on Apache Avenue from Highway 50 north to East San Bernardino Avenue. They will be completed in the area next year during the allowed construction time period of May-October.

The project is made possible through Rule 20.A, a program first implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 1967. This requires the CPUC to provide undergrounding allocations each year for converting overhead power lines to underground power lines.

El Dorado County, working with the utilities, identified the area to underground and created an "Undergrounding Utility District." Eligible areas eliminate unusually heavy concentrations of overhead lines, involve a street or road with a high volume of public traffic, benefit a civic or public recreation area or area of unusual scenic interest or are listed as an arterial street or major collector.

Rule 20 requires a partnership between utilities and municipalities. Anyone can propose an area to be done. If the project meets the criteria it goes into the "proposed project pot" and it is about a three-year time frame between projects, and during that process, funds grow in order to pay for completion. In this case, El Dorado County chose this Apache project. There are possible Al Tahoe and Pioneer Trail projects under consideration at this time for the future. The fund is held by the County for unincorporated areas and by the City for those within the city limits.