Pepco will begin the installation of three additional electric lines underground between the Sligo and Linden substations in the downtown Silver Spring area next week—a project that is scheduled to be completed in May 2021.
According to the utility company’s website, crews will be installing the new electric lines to help increase reliability as well as to replace existing infrastructure. The construction will occur from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the bulk of the work occurring on Georgia Avenue between Dale Drive and Cameron Street. Other streets affected include Linden Lane, Seminary Road, Hale Place, Fraser Avenue, Montgomery Street and Brookville Road. In the event crews must work on nights and weekends, notices will be posted on the doors of residences.
During a public meeting Pepco held Wednesday night at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington in Silver Spring, external affairs specialist Tami Watkins said survey crews have been performing site work on the streets that will be affected, but the installation work will begin Monday.
Watkins said there will be a series of lane closures and detours and decreased pedestrian accessibility during the 2½ years of construction. There will be directional signage posted around construction areas that will help minimize traffic disruption, she said.
Watkins added that crews will use steel plates to cover the holes dug in streets. Some residents who live on the affected neighborhood streets said they were concerned about the noise created by trucks rolling over the steel plates. Watkins encouraged residents to call the project’s 24-hour hotline at 301-679-6006.
“We encourage residents to contact with us with questions and concerns,” she said.
Watkins said Pepco will be holding more meetings with civic associations throughout January and February, and the company will be reaching out to the business community.
Dan Schere can be reached at Daniel.schere@moco360.media
