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Staging begins for Sunrise
Powerlink project in Alpine
By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — North of Tavern Road at the
familiar empty field that can be seen off the freeway,
unofficially named Tom Dyke Park, many Alpine residents will
notice all of the equipment moving in. The San Diego Gas &
Electric Sunrise Powerlink project is gearing up to begin
breaking ground on this long-awaited and controversial
construction plan.
Despite the local dissatisfaction with SDG&E's plan to
tear up Alpine Boulevard, and community outcries, construction
is slated to begin as soon as possible. On Interstate 8 at the
east end of Alpine, another staging project looks to be on the
rise as well.
“Construction is still scheduled to begin in the fall,”
said SDG&E representative Jennifer Ramp.
This is the reason for the installation of chain link
fencing around the proposed construction yard off of Tavern Road
as well as the moving on of equipment. This will also be the
site of the temporary offices that will act as the main staging
and deployment headquarters for the project.
Last week the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
determined that SDG&E had satisfied all required
pre-construction mitigation measures to begin construction of
these staging sites.
SDG&E workers, last Thursday, Sept. 16, also started
marking Alpine Boulevard with regard to already existing
underground utilities, performing weed abatement along the
route, and installing storm water run-off systems.
This week, as work continues, residents may see
temporary facilities for existing underground and overhead
utilities, as well as trenching for and installation of
temporary underground utilities infrastructure.
Many community members are angry about the steam ahead
antics of SDG&E. Posts on the internet include frustration with
the poor resolution of the proposed Powerlink map, plus the
general belief that this Powerlink will not relieve any cost to
anyone in San Diego County. Some of the comments have included
insights that power costs will not drop due to cap and trade.
Donna Tisdale, Boulevard resident, and local activist
for the Back Country still believes that the fight is not over.
The grassroots coalition that was formed to fight this project
is challenging the project at every step.
“SDG&E still has a long row to hoe on Sunrise,” she
said.
Laura McDonald, Sunrise Powerlink project Director, has
said time and time again that the project will be good for the
community. SDG&E believes that the people of Alpine will
realize, once the project is underway, that the fears are
unfounded.
SDG&E has also mentioned over and over that
construction will be as unobtrusive as possible while working on
the boulevard by SDG&E officials who have been present on the
boulevard, walking and talking with business owners.
For a clear view of direct impact to businesses on
Alpine Boulevard as well as plans for reconstruction and
redesign, a copy of the plan that was given to the Alpine
Planning Group is available for viewing at The Alpine Sun
office.
 E-mail
Christy Scott
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