Maine Streets underground construction worth the hassle
Perhaps you have gotten slowed down in the traffic stops on Maine Avenue during the last two weeks and wondered what the heck is going on in downtown Lakeside. Thankfully it will not last long, but the street is being trenched and then it will have conduit and electric wires installed underground before being repaved and stripped.
Maine Streets underground construction worth the hassle
Perhaps you have gotten slowed down in the traffic stops on Maine Avenue during the last two weeks and wondered what the heck is going on in downtown Lakeside. Thankfully it will not last long, but the street is being trenched and then it will have conduit and electric wires installed underground before being repaved and stripped.
Later it will be followed by removal of the old power poles and wires and then at the very end, new old fashion streetlights will be installed. This is a big improvement project that Lakeside has wanted to see for many years.
Kyle Yates, a foreman with the AM Ortega Company, said they are trying their best not to disrupt the businesses. They are working on one block at a time so they will not have the whole street dug up. This week they are trenching between Laurel St (East Bound Grill) and Lakeshore Dr. (Leo’s Pharmacy). Yates said that when trenching they found parts of the old highway which was 6 to 12 inch thick concrete, it was the old Highway 67 before the new one was built in the 60s.
In about two weeks they will be trenching between Lakeshore Dr. (Leo’s Pharmacy) and Parkside Avenue (Payton’s Hardware) The total improvement will be from Mapleview Rd. to Woodside Avenue. Following the repaving of the street, SDG&E will be pulling the cables through the new conduit.
Gordon Shackelford, a member of the Lakeside Historical Society said, “It is certainly difficult while the work is being done but I have visited other communities who have old Business Districts where they have undergrounded and the businesses have become much more visible.”
Most folks do not realize that they have paid for undergrounding of utilities on SDG&E bills for many years, and are surprised to realize that this project is being paid for with their help.
Chris Herzog, is a member of the Maine Avenue Revitalization Association said, “This project is right up our alley, it will be a subtle improvement and the old fashion street lights will be an asset to our historic look.”
