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It really isn’t necessary to bury these lines in the older neighborhoods. There is a process using PVC pipe of the highest crfush resistence species and junction boxes, all laid on the ground rather than under it. There is even a raised sidewalk cover drawn up, to be used where sidewalks provide a substantial access to neighborhoods. I have wondered since I saw that system on the Internet why it isn’t in use in alot of tree lined areas. I suspect it has something to do with ‘handicap accessibility’ or some such federal rigamarol as that.

I’d guess it has more to do with local code, which is among the most restrictive and anal in the world, and with the fact that changing anything on this scale is expensive. I can’t quite visualize laying live electrical wire in a pipe on the ground and having that be safe—will take your word for it—but retooling the power supply system has to cost billions and billions that nobody can afford right now.

It really isn’t necessary to bury these lines in the older neighborhoods. There is a process using PVC pipe of the highest crfush resistence species and junction boxes, all laid on the ground rather than under it. There is even a raised sidewalk cover drawn up, to be used where sidewalks provide a substantial access to neighborhoods. I have wondered since I saw that system on the Internet why it isn’t in use in alot of tree lined areas. I suspect it has something to do with ‘handicap accessibility’ or some such federal rigamarol as that.

The cost is staggering. There is a general consensus amongst different power companies that place the cost of replacement to underground at about $50 per linear foot. There are pad mounted transformers and service runs from each. Also the underground real-estate is very expensive and has to be shared with gas, phone, cable, water and sewage. Even if the local distribution is buried, you still have may vulnerabilities with transmission. We just can't afford it now.

I suspect it has something to do with ‘handicap accessibility’ or some such federal rigamarol as that

Sort of related - for some reason, a nearby corner is getting a signal light along with cross walks and those silly buttons pedestrians push that never work. Of course, it all has to be handicapped accessible with the appropriate curbs and graded land and mow. Really? A wheelchair out there? What, the handicapped person is going to wheel across a narrow bridge or plow through the pastures? That's just crazy. That corner has been light free and just fine the whole time I've been alive and was fine long before that. But, noooo, someone got a bee in their bonnet and is wasting my tax dollars once again.