Tensions were high during this week’s La Jolla Shores Association meeting because of a delay in an effort to place overhead power lines underground in The Shores.
Phase 1 of the La Jolla Circuit 1J Undergrounding Project — including La Jolla Shores west of La Jolla Shores Drive from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography south to Avenida de la Playa — was originally scheduled to be finished in the third quarter of last year but was pushed back so communications companies could remove their lines from the poles.
Now it has been delayed again.
Emily Lynch, representing the office of San Diego City Councilman Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, told the LJSA board May 8 that San Diego Gas & Electric had run into “an unusually large number of difficulties with keeping the schedule on track for this project,” including design modifications required because of a change in engineering standards, plus supply chain issues and job changes that required approval from SDG&E.
“But the good news is SDG&E is now ready with a contractor … to do all the remaining electrical work,” Lynch said.
When that work will begin isn’t clear. Lynch said it must be completed once started, and in light of that, SDG&E is seeking a waiver from the city that would allow crews to work through the annual summer coastal construction moratorium from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
A schedule will be determined once the city makes a decision on whether to grant the waiver. If it is not granted, the work would not begin until after Labor Day in September.
“Once the work starts, it will be fairly quick — probably a few months,” Lynch said.
The further delay came as an unwanted surprise to LJSA board member Andrew Perry, who said he was in with SDG&E recently and was told everything was on schedule.
“This project is probably four years delayed right now,” Perry said. “Everything was trenched two years ago and the conduits were buried. The council member said he was going to try and move things along and then Emily gives a presentation [indicating] the project is delayed again.”
Lynch acknowledged that “delays are frustrating” and said she reports information as it is available. “I apologize that it doesn’t always hold up over time,” she said.
The board voted to urge the city to deny the waiver.
LJSA board member John Shannon said having trucks and workers on busy La Jolla Shores streets during the summer “doesn’t work” and “would make a headache.”
“There are too many people and too much movement that would be impeded,” Shannon said. “I want to get it done as soon as possible, but at what cost? I don’t think that cost is worth it.”
La Jolla Shores resident and former LJSA president Janie Emerson said the summer construction moratorium exists because “you can’t move down here in the summertime [due to crowds]. … I would recommend the board tell the city they can’t [do the work] during the summer. … As much as we want [the undergrounding] finished, it will destroy the businesses down here and any attempt at a normal life for those that live in this area.”
But Perry said waiting until after Labor Day could result in even further delays.
LJSA board member Dick Dahlberg added that “to give the city and SDG&E a for a few months is not a wise thing to do.”
The board voted 8-4 to approve a motion to ask the city to retain the summer moratorium and have the work done immediately after Labor Day.
In June, city and SDG&E representatives completed Phase 2 of the Circuit 1J Undergrounding Project to put overhead utilities underground in the area east of La Jolla Shores Drive from Scripps Oceanography south to Nautilus Street, install five new streetlights and 14 disabled-accessible pedestrian ramps and plant 24 new street trees.
Once all the undergrounding is complete, the city intends to resurface the streets that were affected, including La Jolla Shores Drive.
Other LJSA news
Surfing event: The board voted to lend its to an event later this month that plans to bring people with spinal muscular atrophy to The Shores for a day of adaptive surfing and beach recreation. It will be the ninth year the event has been held.
The specific location on the beach is to be decided in coordination with local lifeguards, according to event founder Max Moore. A group of volunteers will be onsite to the participants.
Return to in-person meetings: Beginning next month, the La Jolla Shores Association will return to meeting in person. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at the Martin Johnson House on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus at 8840 Biological Grade. Learn more at lajollashoresassociation.org. ◆
