About $1.6 million in funding was approved May 8 by City Council for a project that would replace 19,450 linear feet of underground electrical wiring that serves 87 streetlights along Prospect Street and La Jolla Boulevard.
La Jolla’s circuits ” several of which are close to 90 years old ” have become some of the most problematic in the city, requiring the largest demand for repairs over the past few years, according to Keely Sweeney, representative for District 1 City Councilman and Council President Scott Peters.
“This should be something that a lot of people in the community are happy about,” Sweeney said, adding that Peters was thrilled about the project because the repairs are pressing. “The repair and replacement needs are real, and it’s nice to see some support for that. It’s nice to see those needs addressed.”
Promote La Jolla Inc., an organization founded to administer business improvements throughout the community, has been working in conjunction with the city to further the replacement process and was also pleased with council’s decision, according to Tiffany Sherer, the organization’s spokeswoman.
Since 2005, Promote La Jolla has received complaints about light shortages along La Jolla’s two major business district streets, Sherer said. It was then that Promote La Jolla met with city’s street division supervisor, who alerted the group that they were third on a waiting list of 34 other communities that need circuit repairs and replacements, she said.
The replacements will provide the community with increased safety and stability, Sherer said.
“We’ve been watching for this project since we were told about it in 2005, so to have the council take the final action to make the project a reality was very exciting for us,” Sherer said.
The project will be designed by the city and should be complete and ready to go out for bid by fall 2007, according to Sherer.
Construction impacts should be minimal for business owners and residents, according to Sweeney, who said the city plans to conduct the replacements for short periods of time during the day when streetlights are not in use.