Hammond Street Partial Closure Begins Monday for Pasadena Undergrounding Work

Pasadena Water and Power is set to begin underground utility construction Monday on Hammond Street where it crosses Raymond Avenue, with work expected to require a partial closure of the street for about three weeks.

The construction is part of a multiyear project moving overhead electric and communications facilities underground along Raymond Avenue.

Pasadena’s Underground Utility District Program began in 1968 as part of a multiyear Capital Improvement Program under which overhead utility systems, including electric cable and telephone communication lines, are relocated below ground. PWP says undergrounding has helped beautify the city, reduce the number of outages, enhance public safety and protect Pasadena’s urban forest.

All affected property owners are notified before work begins, according to the city.

The city then installs underground vaults, transformers, conduit, drainage systems, and primary and secondary cables in the designated zone, connects each property to the underground system, and coordinates with telephone, cable and other utility providers to relocate their lines.

After the overhead lines are removed, PWP takes down the utility poles and coordinates with the Public Works Department to install new street lights if necessary and resurface the street.

Engineering designs are complete for undergrounding districts on Raymond Avenue, from Maple Street to the northern city limits, and on Mountain Street between Lake and Hill avenues. PWP set a February 2026 construction start for that work and named Doty Bros. Construction Company as the contractor.

Outreach on the Mountain Street project is to be released ahead of a preconstruction public meeting, likely in fall 2028. Construction there is scheduled to begin in January 2029, after the Raymond Avenue project is completed.