Construction projects

Building a better community

Our customers depend on us to power their homes, so we’re committed to continuously improve service and reliability across the service territory. We continue to maintain our outstanding service reliability of 99.99%. To maintain the excellent service our customers expect, we acknowledge the need to repair, replace, build, upgrade and extend the electric system. Below, see details about LES' major construction projects in the works. 

(Are you a building contractor? Click here for info on how we can work together to better anticipate equipment needs in your building projects during this time of supply chain issues.)

Major Projects
South 56th Street Reliability Project

SOUTH 56TH STREET RELIABILITY PROJECT MAP

The South 56th Street Reliability Project is a multistep project to rebuild transmission lines and structures along 56th Street, from Everett Street to Elkcrest Drive. 

The project will begin in mid-2023, with the relocation of overhead distribution lines to underground. Eliminating overhead power lines along this major roadway meets the Lincoln-Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan statement, “Within the City of Lincoln, wherever feasible and affordable, implement a phased program to relocate overhead utility lines underground.” Burying these lines will improve neighborhood aesthetics, reduce impact from vehicle/pole accidents and build upon our reliability now and in the future. LES also will work with the communication utilities in the city of Lincoln to remove communication lines.

Once distribution lines (the “middle” lines on the pole) are removed, as well as the communication utility lines (the “lower” lines on the pole), work will begin on transmission structures and lines. This portion of the project will update structures to support increased electricity needs for the area and increase the span of the lines between structures. 

OPEN HOUSE

LES held an open house Aug. 23, 2022, to discuss this project. Click the links below for more information and to provide feedback.

View the South 56th Street Reliability Project flyer

View the South 56th Street Reliability Project FAQ

Provide feedback about the South 56th Street Reliability Project

Before  After
84th Street project power lines 84th Street with no power lines
48th Street, L-Cotner Boulevard Overhead to Underground Project

Additional resource

Help LES keep power restoration and maintenance trouble-free by leaving proper space around power equipment.

View the fence and landscaping installation guide for tips and clearance requirements for different types of electrical equipment

Contact us

If you have any questions related to the South 56th Street Reliability Project, contact us at 402.475.4211 or email [email protected].

70th Street Overhead to Underground Project

70TH STREET OVERHEAD TO UNDERGROUND PROJECT MAP

LES will relocate the overhead power lines to underground along 70th Street from Logan to Knox streets. The conversion will continue to build upon our system reliability and will improve aesthetics along a high-traffic roadway in the city.

Burying existing overhead distribution meets the Lincoln-Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan statement: “Within the City of Lincoln, wherever feasible and affordable, implement a phased program to relocate overhead utility lines underground.” 

This project is a continuation of the Overhead to Underground program initiated by the LES Administrative Board in 2005. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2023 with anticipated completion by fall 2023.

OPEN HOUSE

LES held an open house June 28, 2022, to outline and discuss the areas that will be impacted by this project in 2023. Take a look at the project flyer and FAQ below for more information. 

View the 70th Street project flyer

View the 70th Street project FAQ

Installing underground electrical facilities can enhance system reliability by reducing exposure to many common outage causes such as storms, tree debris, vehicle/pole accidents and animal interference. The following before and after photos show the improvements to neighborhood aesthetics that result from this type of project.

Before  After
84th Street project power lines 84th Street with no power lines
48th Street, L-Cotner Boulevard Overhead to Underground Project

Additional resource

Help LES keep power restoration and maintenance trouble-free by leaving proper space around power equipment.

View the fence and landscaping installation guide for tips and clearance requirements for different types of electrical equipment

Contact us

If you have any questions related to the 70th Street project, contact us at 402.475.4211.

Center Park Overhead to Underground Project

Center Park Overhead to Underground Project map

LES will convert overhead lines to underground from South 14th Street, north of Center Park Road, along back property lines and east the length of Peterson Park (crossing under the bike path). This project will meet the Lincoln-Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan statement: “Within the City of Lincoln, wherever feasible and affordable, implement a phased program to relocate overhead utility lines underground.”

This project is a continuation of the Overhead to Underground program initiated by the LES Administrative Board in 2005. Construction is scheduled to start in fall 2023 with anticipated completion by the end of 2023.

South 27th Street Project

South 27th Street Project Map

LES will install underground cable from the substation located at South 27th Street and Pine Lake Road, south to Rokeby Road. This project will support future growth in the South 27th Street and Saltillo Road area and provide backup power contingency for customers along Saltillo Road.

Construction is scheduled to start in fall 2023 with anticipated completion by the end of 2023. 

Overhead Distribution Asset Management Project

Overhead Distribution Asset Management Project Map

The Overhead Distribution Asset Management Project is an ongoing citywide maintenance program that will repair or replace LES poles and equipment that were deemed defective during the 2022 inspection. This project will ensure public safety and improve reliability and is set to kick off in 2023.

North 45th Street Overhead to Underground Project

North 45th Street Overhead to Underground Project Map

LES will relocate the existing overhead power lines to underground along 45th Street from Vine to R streets. This conversion will support our continued system reliability by replacing dated electrical cable and reduce potential exposure to damage common of overhead lines. The conversion also will improve aesthetics along a city roadway.

This project is a continuation of the Overhead to Underground program initiated by the LES Administrative Board in 2005 and meets the Lincoln-Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan statement: “Within the City of Lincoln, wherever feasible and affordable, implement a phased program to relocate overhead utility lines underground.”

Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2023 with anticipated completion by winter 2023.
 

2023 budgeted construction activity

2023 BUDGETED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY MAP

LES' 2023 budget includes a number of construction projects in and around the Lincoln area.

The projects represent relatively large investments. Some projects are new, while several are continued from past years. All of the projects are needed to renew, upgrade or expand the electric system so that LES’ customer-owners continue receiving a reliable supply of low-cost electric energy.

Other projects, not included on the map, may occur throughout the year due to public changes in land use, major equipment failures and customer requirements for commercial or industrial expansion which may require relocating or changing electrical facilities.

If you have questions about any of these 2023 construction projects, call 402.475.4211 or email [email protected].

All planned construction

Construction planning process

01 - Model the electric grid

Annually, the LES System Planning Department models the LES electric grid to simulate real-world situations to ultimately develop a construction work plan. The model identifies areas of weakness, overloads and overall grid stress points. Out of the annual studies, specific projects are developed to remedy deficiencies, issues and problem areas. Other projects are identified when individual feeder circuits perform in a substandard manner, or future growth requires expanding the circuits. All these potential projects are prioritized to bring the most value to the organization.

02 - Engineer design package development

Following identification, the LES Design Engineering team takes conceptual ideas and converts them to an engineering design package that can be used to construct the project and that meets the National Electrical Safety Code provisions. Ensuring the safety of the public and the LES team is vital to the success of any construction project. When placing the LES electrical facilities on customer properties, LES Engineering and Land Management work with the customer-owner to find the right location for cable, pole, transformer or switch.

03 - Construction starts

LES Transmission & Distribution Construction puts into action the organization's priorities to get the new or replacement facilities into service. Many LES employees are involved in the projects. LES also utilizes external consultants and contractors to supplement projects when specialized equipment is required, or internal resources are not available by the required in-service date.

Hard hat & blueprints

Construction projects map

This map illustrates current LES construction projects within the service area. To view details about a project, click the colored area, and a pop-up containing additional information such as a description, bounds, start and end dates will display. If a contractor is assisting LES, the contractor logo(s) will appear at the bottom of the pop-up window. If you have questions about a construction project, contact LES by calling 402.475.4211.

If you see a construction flag in your yard but don't see a project in your area on the LES map, it may be a city of Lincoln project