Palm Beach reached a milestone with its townwide utility undergrounding on December 10 when the Town Council awarded a construction contract for Phase 8 –the last of the project’s 15 construction zones.
Phase 8 extends from Royal Poinciana Way north to Everglade Avenue. Construction is scheduled to start in March or April and be completed in 2027, Town Engineer Patricia Strayer said.
The council approved a $16.1 million budget for construction of Phase 8, including a $14 million contract to Burkhardt Construction and a $2.1 million contingency.
The panel approved a separate budget of $470,000 for construction phase services for Reach 8, including a $409,000 purchase order to Kimley-Horn & Associates and a $61,000 contingency.
Because of inflation, the price of Reach 8 construction is significantly higher than the original estimate of $12.3 million and the updated $14.5 million estimate from 2019, Strayer said.
“In recent years, we have seen an escalation in costs,” she said. “Staff anticipated this.”
Construction on a separate segment, Phase 7 South, should begin in January or February, Strayer said. That zone extends from Atlantic Avenue north to Via Los Incas and Sanford Avenue.
Strayer said the utility undergrounding work will be kept off the town’s north-to-south streets during the winter season to reduce traffic impacts.
The town launched this ambitious undertaking – the removal of all overhead power, cable television and phone lines on the island – in 2017. Town officials say buried utilities are more efficient, safer and aesthetically superior to an overhead system. Construction is expected to reach completion by the end of 2027 and has been estimated to cost up to $150 million.
Construction has been completed and the utility poles removed in six of the 15 zones. Construction is nearing completion or is underway in seven other zones, and is scheduled to begin in early 2025 in the remaining two zones.
Progress Summary
Phase 1 North – From Palm Beach Inlet south to Onondaga Avenue. Completed March 2019.
Phase 1 South – South Town Limit north to Sloan’s Curve. Completed April 2020.
Phase 2 North – Esplanade Way north to Ocean Terrace. Completed October 2020.
Phase 2 South – Sloan’s Curve north to the intersection of South Ocean Boulevard and South County Road. Completed September 2023.
Phase 3 North– Osceola Way south to the north side of La Puerta Way. Completed September 2021.
Phase 3 South – From the intersection of South Ocean Boulevard and South County Road north to the alley south of Worth Avenue. Conversions are complete. Pole removal scheduled for January.
Phase 4 North – South side of La Puerta Way south to the north side of List Road. Completed.
Phase 4 South – Peruvian Avenue north to Royal Palm Way. Construction 81 percent complete.
Phase 5 North – Country Club Road south to Southland Road. Construction 90 percent complete.
Phase 5 South – South Lake Drive/Hibiscus Avenue & Peruvian Avenue/Royal Palm Way, properties between the Atlantic Ocean and from Royal Palm Way to Seaspray Avenue. Construction 88 percent complete.
Phase 6 North – Chateaux Drive and Kawama Lane north to the south side of Plantation Road. Construction 82 percent complete. Poles should be removed summer of 2025.
Phase 6 South – Seaspray Avenue north to the south side of Royal Poinciana Way. Construction 56 percent complete. Poles should come down in 2025.
Phase 7 North – Palm Beach Country Club north to the south side of List Road. Construction 49 percent complete. Pole removal could happen as early as November 2025.
Phase 7 South – Atlantic Avenue north to Via Los Incas and Sanford Avenue. The contract was awarded in July. Construction should begin in January or February.
Phase 8 – Royal Poinciana Way north to Everglade Avenue. Design 95 percent complete. Contract was awarded earlier this month. Construction should start in March or April.
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