Dominion Strategic Underground Project
by Caroline March-Long, Westwood Civic Association President
Westwood is on the list to move power lines underground. Why? Over a 10-year period, they have noted troublesome lines and outage data that identified us as candidates for the burying of lines.
Phase 1 has begun and most of us should have received a letter in March if we are part of the project area. I asked Dominion Project Lead Amanda Tickle (see contact information below) to send me a copy so that the entire neighborhood could see it.
Phase 1:
– Flags put out to mark property corners (not where the lines go) – done.
– Property research and initial design
– Approach residents 1:1 to discuss easements needed to lay lines – they won’t need easements from all neighbors.
– Look at meters and determine if they can directly attach underground lines or if they are too old = too small, they’ll propose adapter boxes that will then support underground lines (if a resident doesn’t want the adapter box – they won’t be able to have their lines go underground).
Phase 2:
– All easements are complete and construction begins.
They are going to lay lines in the front of our homes…this means that a transformer will be needed for every 4-6 homes — a 3-1/2’x3-1/2′ box. I asked them what if a resident doesn’t want a transformer sitting on their front lawn, she said that placement can be discussed with the resident so it’s not unsightly (or less unsightly).
Although they don’t need all of us to agree to an easement, if enough residents within that 4-6 home radius refuse to take a transformer, they would have to cancel the project.
According to the current project map, Phase 1 is only in a part of our neighborhood for now. Check status by going to Strategic Underground Program | Dominion Energy and putting in your address under Check the Status of a Project.
Questions? Contact amanda.c.tickle@dominionenergy.com for more info.
Westwood Civic Association 