Las Olas Isles Utility Undergrounding Project Updates

Fort Lauderdale — Las Olas Isles Utility Undergrounding Project Updates

The following work has taken place over the past few days: 

• Ferreira has converted all residences on all streets to underground power.
• AT&T has converted all residences on all streets except Royal Plaza Drive and Coconut Isle Drive.

Ongoing Work by Utility Companies

Utility companies are also making progress:

• Comcast has completed the pre-wiring on all streets and has commenced individual residence conversions. Comcast is progressing much slower than scheduled as they are converting all residences to fiber optic, which requires scheduling in-home appointments with every resident to install new modems.
• AT&T has almost completed residence hookups.
• FPL has to wait until Comcast cables are removed from the wood poles before the poles can be removed. This can’t be done until all residences are converted off the existing overhead cables.

Upcoming Activities (Through 5/17/24)

The following work is scheduled to take place over the next few days:

• Ferreira will be completing restoration work on all streets.
• Ferreira will complete deenergizing all overhead transformers.

Upcoming Activities

The following activities remain to be completed as part of this project.

• Residential connections to new Comcast and ATT lines
• Restoration of landscaping and pavers
• Removal of overhead lines and poles
• Installation of 77 new streetlights
• Roadway resurfacing – Resurfacing is not expected to be completed by the end of April 2024. An update will be provided once this work is scheduled.
• Replace all sidewalks along the south side of Las Olas Boulevard from Coconut Isle Drive to Isle of Palms Drive.

Project Overview

• Construction Schedule: Just days after the City Commission approved the ordinance establishing the process for communities seeking undergrounding on May 18, 2010, Las Olas Isles neighbors applied and began efforts to make this project a reality. A groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated on June 14, 2022, officially marking the start of construction. Mayor Dean J. Trantalis and District 2 Commissioner Steve Glassman spoke at the event and have been closely monitoring the project’s progress since then. “Many thanks to the residents for their patience these past twelve years. Getting this project started has been a priority of mine since being elected in 2018,” said Commissioner Glassman. The construction schedule has been extended due to unforeseen circumstances including inclement weather, additional work, and revisions to the original contract. Substantial completion is now expected in March 2024 and final restoration is expected to be completed by the end of April 2024 with the exception of street repaving. An update will be provided once this work is scheduled.
• Contractor & Sub-Contractors: Ferreira, International Drilling, Inc. (IDD), Voss Engineering, OY Underground, and Best Underground.
• Construction Method: Utility conduits were installed using horizontal directional drilling. This trenchless method is more efficient than traditional open-cut construction and resulted in less disruption to roads and traffic. Construction has been done primarily from west to east, but some operations may vary due to unforeseen conflicts or tidal impacts.

Traffic Impacts

• A single lane along each isle may be closed during work hours. Traffic control personnel will assist motorists as needed. Please follow posted signs and drive with caution in the area.
• There may be times when equipment or materials temporarily block access to driveways during work hours. Crews in the field will coordinate with neighbors during these situations.
• Driveway and roadway access will be restored at the end of each work shift.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank our neighbors for their continued patience as we work to complete this project as quickly as possible.

For more information or questions, contact:

Gary Foster, Senior Project Manager
954-828-6233 or gfoster@fortlauderdale.gov

City of Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Service Center
954-828-8000 or lauderserv@fortlauderdale.gov