The City of Palo Alto Utilities Department (CPAU) is currently rebuilding the electric system on El Camino Real from Fernando Avenue to the Palo Alto/Mountain View City limits.
Background: Much of the electric equipment in this area of El Camino Real, installed in the 1970's, is approaching the end of its design life and is in need of replacement before it starts to experience failures. This work is necessary to help ensure electric service reliability and is for the benefit of all customers in the area.
Scope: The project involves the redesign of the underground electric system to current design practices; replacement, where necessary, of cables, switches, transformers, and associated equipment; and conversion of the primary voltage from 4,160 Volt (V) to 12,470 V. Where possible, submersible equipment will be replaced with padmount equipment which is more reliable, safer to operate, and more easily maintained. Because of the size of the project, it has been divided into several phases, starting at Fernando Avenue and working towards the Palo Alto/Mountain View City limits.
The work will primarily be along El Camino Real, but there will be instances where it will be necessary to install electric substructure (conduits, vaults and concrete pads) on some of the side streets along El Camino Real. At times it will be necessary to block portions of the street to facilitate the installation or replacement of the electrical equipment. Customer will be given advance notification of scheduled power outages when new equipment must be connected to the electrical system.
In certain circumstances a change in secondary service voltage from 120/240 V to 120/208 V will be required for some customers. An electrical contractor, working for CPAU, will survey customer’s electrical facilities and prepare a report indicating the changes that will be necessary at their property in order to receive service at the new voltage. It will then be the customer’s responsibility to make the necessary changes to their equipment to ensure continued service from CPAU.
Our goal is to continue to provide dependable electric service to our customers. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and patience during the construction period, and are looking forward to the reliability improvement this project will provide.
Project Manager (City): Tom Ting, (650) 566-4548 Project Engineer (City): Mike Mintz, (650) 566-4551 Field Inspector (City): Juan Colin (650) 496-6936 After hours: CPA Communications, (650) 329-2413
Project Schedule: Tentative schedule of this project is as follows:
May to October 2008 - Phase 1 El Camino Real, Fernando Avenue to Curtner Avenue.
October to December 2008 - Phase 2 El Camino Real, Curtner Avenue to Vista Avenue.
October to December 2008 - Phase 4 El Camino Real, Vista Avenue to Maybell Avenue.
March 2009 to April 2009 - Phase 11 El Camino Real, Palo Alto City Limits to Dinah’s Court
March 2009 to April 2009 - Phase 12 El Camino Real, Dinah’s Court to West Charleston Road.
March 2009 to April 2009 - Phase 13 El Camino Real, West Charleston Road to Maybell Avenue.
This project is being designed and constructed concurrently with the PARK BOULEVARD 4,160V TO 12,470V CONVERSION project; phase numbers are divided between the two projects.
For precise information regarding work schedule on your street, please contact Project Engineer.
Working Hours: Work will be performed Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
