Brace Point Cable Replacement

Map showing construction work area in the Brace Point neighborhood

Project Description

Underground electrical cables were originally installed in parts of the Endolyne/Brace Point area in 1971. In 2011, a Seattle City Light contractor tested and where possible, injected the cables with silicone to extend their life. However, 50% of the cable could not be injected and must be replaced. City Light has hired a contractor to replace the aging electrical infrastructure in the Brace Point area with new conduits, cables, vaults and streetlights. 

Location

Construction will occur in the Endolyne/Brace Point area

What's Happening Now?

Project Update (May 6, 2022): Over the past six months, we have been working through challenges with the Brace Point conduit repair project. In fall 2021, City Light encountered an unforeseen delay in issuing the notice to proceed (NTP) when it took longer to receive a required Department of Ecology permit than anticipated. During this time, a further complication arose with the contractor not being able to meet the Durkan administration’s policy for vaccine attestation for contractors working on City projects. As we negotiated with the contractor to ensure all requirements were met before issuing the NTP, our SDOT Utility Major Permit expired. With work delayed and the contractor’s non-compliance, we recently canceled the original contract.

We have been focused on reacquiring the SDOT permit. This process will likely take several months as we implement required design changes to comply with updated standards and coordinate review processes with relevant City departments. Once we have a permit in hand, City Light will proceed to advertise for bids, review submittals and issue intent to award to the selected contractor.

City Light is working to expedite these steps to begin work as quickly as possible. The best-case timeline would allow issuance of an NTP as soon as early 2023 to late spring 2023. However, it is important to note that continued issues with supply chain and staffing shortages could create uncertainty with this timeline.

Community Benefits

  • The work will result in enhanced electrical reliability and reduce the likelihood of unplanned power outages in the Brace Point area.

Anticipated Impacts

  • Trenching for conduits will occur in the public right-of-way (e.g., street, lawn, planting strips). Crews will cover trenches with steel plates outside of construction work hours. The contractor may be working in multiple locations at a time. Crews will work to limit parking and traffic impacts.
  • Construction will require some road closures to traffic during work hours. Detour signage will direct traffic where possible. Crews may limit driveway access to houses closest to construction areas during working hours. Vehicles will be able to pass during non-working hours.
  • The project will not cause interruption to your mail delivery or garbage/recycling/yard waste service. Please leave your cans on the curb as you usually do.
  • Maintenance power outages are required to do the work safely. City Light will notify affected residents in advance before any outage.
  • Private service connections to homes are not included in this work. The homeowner is responsible for installing new conduits in their private property.
  • The contractor will work closely with the Seattle Department of Transportation's (SDOT) Urban Forestry group to protect trees and mitigate any removals. SDOT staff may be on-site to monitor this work.
  • All affected streets and landscaping will be restored and repaved in kind, per SDOT standards.

COVID-19 Protocols

Please be aware that due to the nature of our work maintaining the electrical system, some essential tasks require crew members to work closely together for their safety. We ask that residents continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines when walking near a construction site. The safety of our customers and crews is our number one priority.

This work is in accordance with protocols in place to meet all COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington State Department of Health, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.