LADWP Confirms Undergrounding Plans for Rustic & S.M. Canyon
By Laurel Busby
News & Information Editor
Undergrounding of power lines throughout Pacific Palisades is underway and the current plan includes Rustic and Santa Monica Canyon, according to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Community Initiatives Manager Christy Holland.
“As we work to rebuild the electrical distribution system throughout the Pacific Palisades, LADWP is planning on undergrounding where feasible,” Holland said. “Our goal is 100% underground barring any terrain issues or other complications that make undergrounding infeasible.”
LADWP has divided Pacific Palisades into eight load blocks, which are sections of the Palisades based on historic neighborhoods referenced on various community maps, Holland said.
LADWP refers to both Rustic and Santa Monica Canyon as Rustic Canyon in the map below and in their correspondence.
The load block numbers (1-8) on the map have no relation to the order in which the undergrounding of neighborhoods will occur, according to Holland. Undergrounding along Sunset Boulevard and other major streets is the first step.
“LADWP is working on developing a ranking criterion based on various technical factors that will determine the sequencing and scheduling of when each load block will be constructed,” Holland said. “Undergrounding in neighborhoods where feasible will begin once the 12 kV backbone along Sunset & other major streets is complete. The current estimate is sometime in the third quarter of 2026. Beyond that estimated start date, we don’t have specific information to share on which block is up first. We know how important this is to the community, so you can be sure that we’ll be providing details on scheduling as soon as they are firmed up.”
Some details about LADWP’s undergrounding plans were previously shared at a July 2 virtual town hall. At the event, LADWP representatives stated that the current plan is to build parallel trenches—one for power lines and one for other lines, including telecommunications and fiber optics cabling—so that power and telephone line poles can eventually be removed throughout Pacific Palisades. Previous Canyon News coverage is available here.
Below is the LADWP’s fact sheet about their Pacific Palisades rebuilding project, including the undergrounding plans. The fact sheet mentions that transformers will be moved to above-ground pads while poles will either be shortened or removed, depending on telecommunication companies needs.
At the town hall, David Hanson said that telecommunications companies were leaning towards undergrounding their lines.
Palisades-related questions for LADWP can be emailed to PalisadesRebuild@ladwp.com. LADWP also provides information about the Palisades rebuilding effort at this link: www.ladwp.com/palisades.
