Sawpit Road Electric Reliability Improvement Project
Estimated Dates & Work Schedule
Anticipated End Date: 2021-12-31
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.*
*NOTE: In some circumstances, weekends and extended hours may be required.
Project Objective
JEA completed a project to replace some of the power poles, transformers, fuses and the main electrical service lines that serves the Sawpit Road area. Work occurred along the City of Jacksonville’s right-of-ways and utility easements and did not include the individual electric meters for homes or businesses.
On Sawpit Road, we will replaced the existing overhead lines that ran through a wooded area (depicted on the map below) and relocated these lines underground. New underground electric conduit and cables were then ran along the utility easement portion of Sawpit Road. This work will help increase electric reliability to the circuit while preserving the established tree canopy.
Construction Conditions
Residents could expect large utility trucks in the area as work progresses. Prior to placement, utility poles were dropped off or temporarily staged in the public right of way. Once the utility poles were properly placed, they were dressed with equipment upgrades and spans of wire were installed. Old utility poles remained in place until AT&T and Comcast could change communication cables and facilities over to the new poles. Once work was complete, old poles were be removed.
Customers experienced some detours and lane closures around the work area while this work was in progress. Traffic control personnel was utilized to help direct traffic around the construction area. Any roads, curb, grass, driveway, sidewalk, or sod unintentionally damaged during construction were repaired or replaced at the end of the project.
Survey and Utility Locates
Over the next few weeks, survey and locate contractors working for JEA will begin gathering information and locating existing utilities for this project. The information gathered will be used by our engineers, crews and contractors to identify existing pipes, locate the public rights of way, and existing utilities prior to the work.
Survey paint marks and/or flags may also be used to help identify right of way boundaries, benchmarks, and physical site conditions (sidewalks, driveways, tree locations, etc.). Any paint you may observe is temporary and 100% biodegradable. Please make every effort to avoid disturbing these markers throughout the survey and construction period. JEA’s survey contractor may return to the area several times throughout the project.
Vegetation Management
Proper vegetative clearance was required around JEA poles and facilities to allow the project to move forward. The vegetative management objectives will be to enhance the benefits and mitigate the hazards of both the electrical service and existing tree canopy. JEA tree crews receive additional training on how to maintain sensitive tree canopies and target new growth approaching JEA lines (the line at the top of most utility poles).
Learn more about out goal of balancing a tree's health with safety and electric reliability.Customers are encouraged to contact JEA Tree Care at (904) 665-6050 or at JEATreeCare@JEA.com with any questions they may have regarding trees and utilities.
Planned Power Outages
Customers experienced brief power outages as a result of this work. JEA crews were required to temporarily interrupt power to each individual home or business to switch each electric service over to the new power line. Customers were notified prior to any prolonged (more than 1 hour) planned electric outages.
Work Area Map
Restoration of the Project Area
Restoration of the project area typically begins soon after the electric lines have been installed, tested and cleared for use. Any existing pavement, grass, curb, gutter, driveways, or sidewalks affected during construction will be returned to their pre-construction condition.