Undergrounding Program Overview

What is Up Goes Down

The City of Del Mar is in the midst of a Citywide Undergrounding Program (UP). The UP is designed to remove utility poles and replace overhead cables for electricity and telecommunications with underground lines. In 2016, Del Mar voters identified the UP as a priority with their approval of Measure Q, a one-cent sales tax measure that is funding the UP. The City is committed to advance the UP as quickly as possible.

Benefits to Del Mar include:

Improved views by removing the visual clutter of utility poles and overhead lines;
The reduction of fire hazards and other safety risks caused by downed lines; and
Increasing reliability of utility systems.

Project Implementation

The multi-year UP parcels the Del Mar into nine districts. To date, the City Council has authorized six of them, with each in various phases of completion:

In January 2023, construction of the Tewa Court/10^th Street District was completed;
District 1A (Stratford Court South) is in the construction phase;
District X1A (Crest Canyon) is in the construction phase;
District 1B (Stratford Court North) is in the design phase; and
District 2 (Beach Colony) and 25th Street have completed district formation.

For the most up-to-date information on individual projects, visit the Project Updates webpage.

Project Updates webpage

Project Financing

On July 8, 2024, City Council approved a contract with NHA Advisors to assist with financial planning for the Undergrounding Program. The Undergrounding Project Advisory Committee (UPAC) received a project financing presentation from staff on September 23, 2024. The presentation materials are available here (PDF) Project Financing Project Financing Project Financing Project Financing and the DRAFT UPAC meeting minutes are available here (PDF) Project Financing Project Financing Project Financing Project Financing.

Undergrounding Program Advisory Committee

The seven-member Undergrounding Program Advisory Committee meets quarterly at the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall, 1050 Camino del Mar. The committee includes subcommittees for scheduling, financing and communications.

Visit the UPAC webpage

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Public Outreach

At every stage of the UP, the City of Del Mar is committed to keeping residents well-informed. Residents are encouraged to subscribe for email notifications and visit the Project Updates webpage for the latest information.

Subscribe for email notifications

Project Updates webpage

District Maps and Tools

Undergrounding Process

Email: UP@delmar.ca.us

Staff contact: Martin Boyd, 858-375-9513.