Palm Beach’s massive, decade-long undertaking to bury all overhead utility lines on the island should reach completion in late 2027, according to Town Engineer Patricia Strayer.
Construction is either complete or fully funded and underway in all 15 zones, and more than half the town has already been converted to the new system.
The town began the project, estimated at $128 million to $140 million to build, in 2017. It entails the burial of all overhead power, phone and cable television lines, and removal of the utility poles, on the island.
Town officials say an underground system is aesthetically superior to an overhead system and safer and more reliable because it eliminates power outages and fires caused by vegetation growth around utility lines.
“The town-wide undergrounding project is the largest [utility undergrounding] project in the state and has been implemented faster than any other undergrounding project in the state,” Strayer told the Palm Beach Civic Association on Thursday.
Construction is complete and customers are fully converted to the new system in 11 of the 15 zones. Work is mostly complete, except for utility conversions and fiber conduit installation, in two of the remaining four. Construction continues in the last two zones, known as Phase 7 South and Phase 8.
Phase 8, the final construction zone, was originally expected to reach completion in the spring of 2027. But Strayer said it has been delayed because Florida Power & Light has redesigned the work, and completion is now expected in late 2027.
Once customers are switched to the new underground system and utility poles are removed, the last step is for the streets to be paved in each zone. At its April 14 meeting, the Town Council unanimously voted to authorize funds for street paving in three zones.
The council approved $3.5 million, with an additional contingency of $700,000, to contractor Janice M Riley DBA The Paving Lady, for milling and paving in Phase 4 South, Phase 6 South, and Phase 7 North.
The resolution allows for extended work hours on Saturday, and night-time work hours as necessary, as approved by the Public Works Department, in those three zones.
The Phase 4 South paving work will be bordered on the north by Royal Palm Way from Hibiscus Avenue to South Ocean Boulevard, and on the south by Worth Avenue, according to town documents.
The work within Phase 6 South is bordered on the north by Royal Poinciana Way, and on the south by Seabreeze Avenue. It also includes South County Road and South Ocean Boulevard southward to Royal Palm Way, according to the town.
The work within Phase 7 North is bordered on the north by Laurian Lane, and on the south by Bahama Lane. This work also includes milling and resurfacing the Seaview Tennis Center parking lot and Bradley Place from Royal Poinciana to Dunbar Road; and milling, resurfacing and beautification of the 100 block of Seaview Avenue between South County Road and South Ocean Boulevard.
The council approved a separate resolution authorizing $206,060, and a $30,909 contingency, to Chen Moore and Associates for construction management services during the paving in Phase 4 South, Phase 6 South, and Phase 7 North.
Strayer said the paving will occur this summer. Town staff is working out a paving schedule with the contractor.
The town was awarded an $8 million FEMA reimbursement grant for Phases 5 North and South. Construction is completed and all invoices have been received, according to town documents. Town staff is working on final submittal of grant application documentation to FEMA.
Progress Summary
Phase 1 North – From Palm Beach Inlet south to Onondaga Avenue. Completed.
Phase 1 South – South Town Limit north to Sloan’s Curve. Completed.
Phase 2 North – Esplanade Way north to Ocean Terrace. Completed.
Phase 2 South – Sloan’s Curve north to the intersection of South Ocean Boulevard and South County Road. Completed.
Phase 3 North– Osceola Way south to the north side of La Puerta Way. Completed.
Phase 3 South – From the intersection of South Ocean Boulevard and South County Road north to the alley south of Worth Avenue. Completed.
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. Completed.
Phase 5 North – Country Club Road south to Southland Road. Completed.
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. Completed.
Phase 6 North – Chateaux Drive and Kawama Lane north to the south side of Plantation Road. Completed.
Phase 6 South – Seaspray Avenue north to the south side of Royal Poinciana Way. Utility conversions are completed. AT&T is completing client conversions to fiber. FPL to begin pole removal this in April 2026.
Phase 7 North – Palm Beach Country Club north to the south side of List Road. Construction completed. AT&T is converting customers to fiber. Pole removal scheduled for this summer.
Phase 7 South – Atlantic Avenue north to Via Los Incas and Sanford Avenue. Construction is 42 percent complete. It has been delayed because of crews installing AT&T conduit for fiber in Phase 7 North.
Phase 8 – Royal Poinciana Way north to Everglade Avenue. Construction is 19 percent complete. Work has been delayed because of a significant FP&L redesign.
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