Las Olas Isles Utility Undergrounding Project Updates

Project Overview

We're coordinating utility undergrounding efforts throughout the Las Olas Isles neighborhood to enhance safety and resilience for our neighbors.

• Construction Schedule: Just days after the City Commission approved the ordinance establishing the process for communities seeking undergrounding on May 18, 2010, Las Olas Isles neighbors applied and began efforts to make this project a reality. A groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated on June 14, 2022, officially marking the start of construction. Mayor Dean J. Trantalis and District 2 Commissioner Steve Glassman spoke at the event and have been closely monitoring the project's progress since then. "Many thanks to the residents for their patience these past twelve years. Getting this project started has been a priority of mine since being elected in 2018," said Commissioner Glassman. Completion is expected in July 2023. The construction schedule has been extended due to unforeseen circumstances including inclement weather, additional work, and revisions to the original contract.
• Contractor & Sub-Contractors: Ferreira, International Drilling, Inc. (IDD), Voss Engineering, OY Underground, and Best Underground.
• Staging Area: The primary contractor, Ferreira, is staging materials and equipment at the corner of Isle of Capri Drive and Mola Avenue.
• Construction Method: Utility conduits are being installed using horizontal directional drilling. This trenchless method is more efficient than traditional open-cut construction and results in less disruption to roads and traffic. Construction is being done primarily from west to east, but some operations may vary due to unforeseen conflicts or tidal impacts.

The following is a recap of the work that has been completed since construction began:

• Primary Conduits: Primary conduits are the main lines that will serve the neighborhood and receive energy from nearby transformers. IDD is performing the directional boring of the primary conduits for FPL, AT&T, and Comcast. The installation of FPL, AT&T, and Comcast primary conduits has been completed along every isle.
• Proofing Conduits and Setting Utility Handholes: This process ensures that the conduits are clear and ready for future cable installation. Voss Engineering hired OY Underground to perform this work, which began on October 21, 2022, on Isle of Capri Drive.
• Secondary Conduits: Secondary conduits connect to handholes that are connected to primary conduits and provide service to individual meters. IDD hired a subcontractor, Best Underground, to perform smaller drilling operations for the installation of secondary conduits for FPL, AT&T, and Comcast. Best Underground has completed the secondary conduit installation for FPL, AT&T, and Comcast along Isle of Capri Drive, Bontona Avenue, Coconut Isle Drive, Lido Drive, San Marco Drive, Mola Avenue, Coral Way, Royal Plaza Drive, and Isle of Palms Drive.
• Pad-Mounted Transformers: The redesign for the relocation of the pad-mounted transformers feeding 520 Isle of Palm Drive and 600/624 Isle of Palm Drive has been completed. Relocation revisions have been finalized for Mola Avenue, Isle of Capri Drive, Bontona Avenue, Lido Drive, Coconut Isle, and Coral Way.

Recently Completed Activities

The following is a look at the work that has taken place over the past few days:

• Best Underground completed the secondary conduit installation along Mola Avenue, Isle of Capri Drive, Lido Drive, San Marco Drive, Coral Way, Royal Plaza Drive, and Isle of Palms Drive.
• Voss Engineering completed proofing approximately 100% of the project's conduits.
• Voss Engineering completed installation of FPL handholes along Mola Avenue, Isle of Capri Drive, Bontona Avenue and are 50% completed on Coconut Isle Drive, Lido Drive, and San Marco Drive.
• Voss Engineering continued the marking and setting of the concrete pads for pad-mounted FPL transformers.
• Ferreira began installing individual residential services on Bontona Avenue and are 2% completed.

Upcoming Activities (Through 2/3/23)

The following is a look at the work that is scheduled to take place over the next few days:

• Best Underground plans to complete the secondary conduit installation along the remainder of the project.
• Voss Engineering is projected to complete proofing approximately 100% of the project's conduits.
• Voss Engineering will continue installing FPL handholes and concrete pads for pad-mounted FPL transformers.
• Ferreira will continue pulling primary cables once the concrete pads are completed on each isle. The project team is visiting properties where concrete pads are being installed to discuss the plan with property owners. Isle of Palms Drive is the final isle where this remains to be completed and is expected to be done within the next two weeks.

Additional Information

The following are answers to recent resident inquiries:

• Per the Las Olas Isles HOA's request and FPL's decision, the 24-inch concrete pads are now planned to be set at a depth of 6 inches only along Isle of Capri Drive. The FPL concrete transformer pads that were set along Isle of Capri Drive in the right-of-way will be reset within an FPL easement on private property, in accordance with the original FPL plan. The need for a change order will be evaluated. Moving forward, concrete transformer pads will be placed per FPL plan.

Access

As crews work on installing new residential meters and relocating transformers within the City's right-of-way near residences, they will need to access to the exterior of properties where this work is taking place in order to inspect the existing meters and connection points. Access inside homes is not required, and all construction team members will have visible proof of identification.

Traffic Impacts

• A single lane along each isle may be closed during work hours. Traffic control personnel will assist motorists as needed. Please follow posted signs and drive with caution in the area.
• There may be times when equipment or materials temporarily block access to driveways during work hours. Crews in the field will coordinate with neighbors during these situations.
• Driveway and roadway access will be restored at the end of each work shift.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank our neighbors for their continued patience as we work to complete this project as quickly as possible.

For more information or questions, contact:

Gary Foster, Senior Project Manager
954-828-6233 or [email protected]

City of Fort Lauderdale 24-Hour Neighbor Service Center
954-828-8000 or [email protected]

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