Project Overview

As of 2024, Hilshire Village has successfully completed the installation of LED lights on all existing streetlamps at no cost to the city. 

Status

We are now seeking coordination with property owners to dedicate a right of way for additional lights to address dark spots. If you are interested, please call City Hall. The following notice was sent to the residents: 

 "Dear Residents,

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the safety, security, and overall quality of life in our community, we are exploring the possibility of installing additional street lighting in various areas of our city. Street lighting plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe environment for pedestrians, drivers, and residents alike. It deters crime, reduces the risk of accidents, and contributes to a more welcoming and well-lit neighborhood.

To move forward with this initiative, we are seeking the cooperation and participation of our residents. Specifically, we are inquiring if you would be willing or interested in dedicating an easement on your property for the installation of street lighting. An easement is a small portion of your property that would be used for the placement of a streetlight, ensuring proper illumination of streets and sidewalks.

Benefits of Having a Streetlight on or Near Your Property:

1. Enhanced Safety and Security: Adequate street lighting has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of crime and vandalism. Well-lit streets make it easier for residents and law enforcement to monitor and deter suspicious activities.
2. Improved Visibility: Street lighting improves visibility for both pedestrians and drivers, reducing the likelihood of accidents and making it safer for everyone to navigate the neighborhood at night.
3. Increased Property Value: Well-lit areas are often seen as more desirable places to live. Good street lighting can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property and potentially increase its value.
4. Community Benefits: Street lighting contributes to the overall well-being of the community. It promotes a sense of safety and can encourage more evening outdoor activities, fostering a stronger sense of community among residents.

We understand that dedicating an easement is a significant decision. Therefore, we are committed to providing all necessary information and addressing any concerns you may have. If you are interested in participating or would like to learn more about this initiative, please contact us at 713-973-1779. We can coordinate for a CenterPoint representative to provide detailed information about the location and impact of the proposed streetlights and answer any questions and concerns you might have.

Thank you for your consideration and your continued support in making our city a safer and more vibrant place to live.

We look forward to your response and potential collaboration in this important community project."

Why Burying Electrical Lines is Not Practical

Burying electrical lines may seem like an appealing solution to avoid power outages caused by storms or other weather-related events. However, there are several significant challenges that make this option impractical for our community. Here, we explain the key reasons why burying electrical lines is not feasible, considering the costs, repair times, vulnerabilities, and practical challenges involved.

1. Cost

Underground electrical lines are substantially more expensive than overhead lines. The cost to bury power lines ranges from 3 to 14 times more per foot or mile compared to building overhead lines. This prohibitive cost makes it impractical to bury an entire power system. Most utilities, therefore, only bury key lines. Additionally, communication companies, such as phone and internet providers, would also need to bury their lines, incurring further costs.

2. Repair Time

While underground lines may be less susceptible to damage from storms, when they do require repair, it can take up to 60% longer to fix them compared to overhead lines. Finding and fixing faults in buried lines is a complex and time-consuming process, which can lead to extended power outages for our residents.

3. Vulnerability

Underground lines are not immune to environmental threats. They are vulnerable to:

• Flooding: Water infiltration can damage underground cables.
• Earthquakes: Shifting ground can break buried lines.
• Construction and Digging: Accidental damage from construction activities is a common issue.
• Lightning and Equipment Failures: Despite being underground, these lines can still be affected by lightning strikes and other equipment issues.

4. Practical Challenges

Burying power lines in developed areas presents numerous logistical difficulties:

• Infrastructure Congestion: In urban areas, existing infrastructure like sewers, gas lines, and internet cables can complicate the process of burying electrical lines.
• Floodplains: Areas prone to flooding pose significant risks, as water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
• Heat Dissipation: Transmission lines designed for overhead use are not suitable for burial because they generate heat that cannot dissipate properly underground. This necessitates additional insulation, further increasing costs.
• Routine Maintenance: Maintaining underground lines is challenging and often requires excavation to address faults, which is both time-consuming and disruptive.
• Environmental Impact: The process of burying lines can be more disruptive to the environment than overhead lines. Clearing vegetation for construction and access can destroy habitats and limit biodiversity. Furthermore, ongoing vegetation management is required to prevent deep-rooted plants from damaging the lines.

5. Newly Developed Areas

In newly developed areas, electrical lines are often buried. However, the cost of this infrastructure is typically transferred to the property owners. These residents then face the same challenges mentioned above, including longer repair times, increased vulnerability to environmental threats, and practical difficulties related to maintenance and repairs.

Conclusion

While the idea of burying electrical lines might initially seem beneficial for reducing outages, the significant costs, extended repair times, vulnerabilities, and practical challenges make it an impractical solution for our community. We continue to explore and implement other methods to enhance the resilience and reliability of our power system, prioritizing solutions that balance effectiveness, cost, and environmental impact.