Latest Update: August 11, 2025 – Please scroll to the end of this page for the latest updates.
SUB is making upgrades to aging electric cable and other infrastructure in the Cascade Drive neighborhood.
Project benefits
- Increases electrical reliability: SUB will replace end-of-life electric cable, reducing the chance of power outages.
- Speeds power restoration if an outage does occur: Crews will move electric equipment out of hard-to-access areas, such as backyards, to the street-side, where easier access allows for quicker, safer repairs.
- Improves customer experience: By placing equipment street-side, crews can make routine repairs, maintain equipment and complete upgrades — day or night — while minimizing disturbances to homeowners.
Project overview
- Work will take place at about 40 homes in the project area
- Nearly 1/2 mile of new conduit and primary voltage cable will be installed
- 5 transformers will be removed from backyards
- 3 new street-side transformers will be installed
Background
Much of the underground primary voltage cable that delivers power to this neighborhood was installed in the 1970’s and is now reaching the end of its useful life, making outages more likely.
When a neighborhood like Cascade Drive is ready for an upgrade, SUB follows a best practice of using existing Public Utility Easements (PUE), or SUB-specific easements, for new or replacement equipment. (When street-side easements are available, equipment is relocated there.) The move allows crews to more easily access equipment, day or night, for needed maintenance, upgrades or repairs.
What customers can expect
During the project – overview
- First, our contractor, AB Utility, will install new underground conduit and street-side, in-ground vaults within the PUE.
- Once complete, SUB will pull new cable through the conduit and install pad-mount transformers on top of the vaults.
- After the infrastructure is in place, SUB will notify customers of brief outages as we transition from the old equipment to the new. Our goal is to notify customers 24 hours before a scheduled outage. We do our best to plan outages so they have the least impact on customers.
During the project – site specific
- For some customers, new electrical facilities, or relocated facilities, may need to be moved street-side into the PUE on their property. We are available to talk through the project and answer any questions.
- If no facilities are planned for your property, our contractor may still need to access the PUE on your property, to either install conduit or to access underground facilities at adjacent properties.
- In either case, SUB will notify affected customers (by mail, phone or in person) in advance. Please be sure SUB has your current information. If you have an online account, you can update your contact information via the customer portal. Or, feel free to call SUB at 541-746-8451.
After the project
- SUB will restore any affected roadways or sidewalks to City of Springfield specifications.
- SUB will restore any affected driveways, fencing or landscaping to its original condition or better.
Estimated timeline – Updated May 2025
- March: SUB staff assembles revised bid package – COMPLETE
- April: SUB selects contractor – COMPLETE
- May 21, 2025: SUB’s contractor begins trenching and installation of conduit
- Fall/Winter 2025: SUB crews install new cable and move transformers
- Fall/Winter 2025: SUB staff notify customers of brief outages during service changeover
Essential information
- What is a Public Utility Easement (PUE)? A PUE grants utilities the ability to use part of a property for installing and maintaining essential infrastructure. Most homes have a PUE. The City of Springfield provides PUEs specifically for utility infrastructure.
- What kinds of equipment might be located in the PUE? For this project:
- Transformers – green metal boxes, about 3-foot square, that distribute electricity to a small group of homes
- Junction boxes – smaller green plastic boxes where cables connect
- Underground conduit – a protective tube that houses electric cable
- In-ground vaults – an underground concrete box, about 4-foot square, that houses electric cable; transformers are installed on top
- How did SUB decide where to place the new facilities? Many factors go into the decision, including the location of existing utilities and easements, engineering design standards, quality of service standards, access and safety.
- How will I be informed of changes planned for my property? SUB will notify affected customers by mail, phone or in person.
Project updates
- August 11 update: Contractor continues infrastructure insteallation. Line crews begin work on first phase of electric install.
- May 20 update: SUB has selected a contractor to install conduit and vaults. Work will begin May 21 and continue through the summer.
- March 7 update: Due to the unexpected rock conditions confronting our contractor, SUB has paused this project and is rebidding it to ensure the design reflects existing conditions and incorporates trenching as the likely installation method. We anticipate the project will go out to bid in late March, and that work may begin again in Spring 2025. We will be in touch with updates as we know them. Thank you for your patience!
- January 24 update: Due to the unexpected amount and size of rock in the area, trenching will need to be used to install the new underground conduit. This is a change from our previous design and may require temporarily removing fences and/or cutting across driveways that are in Public Utility Easements. SUB has notified affected property owners. If you received a notice, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we are available to meet and to answer any questions. Note: SUB will always restore driveways, fencing, landscaping and lawns to the original condition, or better.
Contact information
For questions, please contact:
Danny Stanfield
Engineering Tech
541-744-3701