Council narrowly votes to bury powerline beside Jackson School Road for $2.25 million

Hillsboro City Council narrowly voted 3-2 to bury the power lines alongside Jackson School Road, adding $2.25 million to the $20 million redesign of the road, a major entry point into the city off Highway 26. The change will extend construction one extra year for the project into 2022.

Numerous residents came to the April 3 City Council meeting to argue in favor of the change. In the end councillors Kyle Allen, Darell Lumaco, and Olivia Alcaire voted for the change in design, while councillors Anthony Martin and Fred Nachtigal voted against. Councillor Rick Van Beveren, who lives on the street, recused himself.

Divided votes at the council level are rare in Hillsboro. In this case proponents cited safety and aesthetics as reasons for backing the project, while opponents expressed concerned with the cost of the project.

“I really do understand, but to me what it boils down to is a cost effectiveness,” said Councillor Martin. “I think that the money could be used in a more efficient manner.”

Councillor Allen, who voted for the change, emphasized it will never be cheaper to get this project done than while the road is being dug up anyway.

“This is our only shot for the next 50 years or so,” said Allen. “If we don’t do this now, future councils will not have the opportunity.”

The original plan buried telephone and cable lines, but not power. A city press release on the change outlines the impact of also burying power lines:

Modifying the project to underground all utilities in the public right-of-way on both sides of the road will add an estimated $2.25 million to the cost of the $14 million project, along with any construction cost increases due to inflation. Additionally, the change in the roadway design would extend the construction schedule on Jackson School Road by one year so that it starts in 2019 and ends in 2022.