Strengthen Infrastructure and Protect Our Paradise

“Hardened” will affect Key Biscayne’s Aesthetic

Due to the cost and impacts of the electrical grid caused by past hurricanes, FPL has started a program to harden their network poles to increase their resiliency during storm events. This hardening generally involves replacing poles with larger concrete poles that can withstand higher wind speeds. This hardening will impact the Village’s aesthetic in a negative way.

Undergrounding Is the Solution for Increasing Resiliency

Undergrounding is a reliable and safe alternative to overhead utility poles for providing utilities to Key residents.   This undergrounding solution not only increases the reliability and resilience of the utility infrastructure, it keeps the paradise aesthetic of Key Biscayne.

Hardening Infrastructure on Key Biscayne

Safety, Reliability, and Aesthetics

Converting from overhead to underground utilities will improve safety, reliability, and aesthetics of the electric and communications infrastructure in the Village.

Hardening Infrastructure in Phases

The hardening process will be undertaken in phases paired with projects related to roadway improvement and stormwater systems upgrades such that the disruption to the community due to construction will be minimized.

Hardening Support Infrastructure

Hardening our support infrastructure will involve moving electric, phone, cable, and possibly fiber optic lines in the future underground.  However, hardening other components like transformers, switchgear, and capacitor banks will involve elevating these essential structures to protect them from storm flooding.

Project Overview

Estimated GOB Project Cost: $35,200,000

Estimated Project Size: Village-wide

Estimated Duration: 7 years

Project Status: Pre-design

Project Manager: PW / CRSO

Solutions

  • Electrical service interruptions and outages
  • Telecommunication service interruptions and outages
  • Exposed power lines
  • High number of downed power lines and poles
  • Electrical fires

Benefits + Impacts

  • Improved safety
  • Improved reliability
  • Improved aesthetics
  • Removal of unsightly overhead lines and poles
  • Elimination of the need for FPL’s tree line clearing
  • Reclaimed rear yard easements
  • Increased property values

Benefits of Undergrounding on the Key

  1. Safety
    • Underground utility systems are safer than overhead utility systems because of the lower accessibility to accidental contact with the public and the environment.
  2. Reliability
    • A recent (2012) report by the Edison Electric Institute found that an underground utility system is generally more reliable than an overhead one because of the lack of impact by wildlife, weather, and contact with vegetation.
  3. Aesthetics
    • Part of what makes Key Biscayne is the visual aesthetics maintained throughout the island. Relocating the utility lines underground will help maintain our aesthetic in addition to protecting our utilities.