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West Slope Improvement Project

Overview

The City of Tacoma Public Works Department is preparing to move forward with the West Slope Improvement Project. As part of this project, Tacoma Power will convert overhead utility service to underground service in the Local Improvement District (LID) area. Our work will include installing underground conduit, transformer vaults, splice boxes, and related equipment needed to serve homes from the new underground system.

The Project Area

  • Cascade Ave from N 17th street to the dead end. 
  • Fir Street from North 17th Street to the dead end. 
  • North 17th Street from Jackson Avenue to Juniper Street. 
  • The Alley between Cascade Avenue and Fir Street from North 13th Street to 1532 North Cascade Ave.  

Project Status

Public Works will send the project out to bid in July 2026. Once the contractor is selected and a construction schedule is confirmed, residents will receive more information about timing, work areas, and what to expect. 

Click here to follow the full West Slope LID Project

FAQs

Tacoma Power is responsible for the utility-side underground electrical system. This work will be completed through the project contractor, with Tacoma Power providing design guidance, inspection, coordination, and final connection to our system:  

  • Installing underground conduits for power and communications systems  
  • Installing transformer vaults and other underground equipment 
  • Install underground connection boxes to feed power to homes  
  • Connecting Tacoma Power’s system to the new underground infrastructure 
  • Coordinating outages needed to safely complete service conversions  
  • Remove overhead powerlines once all conversion work is complete  

Property Owners are responsible for the customer-owned portion of their electric service from the home to the secondary splice box.  

To prepare your home for underground service, you will need to:  

  • Hire a licensed electrical contractor or complete the work yourself if you are able to meet all permitting requirements, electrical code, and inspection requirements  
  • Install conduit from your home to the Tacoma Power-installed connection box 
  • Make any needed meter base or service equipment updates 
  • Schedule the required electrical inspections 
  • Coordinate with Tacoma Power to schedule the outage needed for the final conversion 

The permitting, installation, and inspection process can take four to six weeks, so it is important to begin planning once you receive direction that your property is ready to move forward.  

Tacoma Power will reach out to homeowners and provide more detailed information about: 

  • When homeowners should begin their service preparation work
  • How to schedule site meetings, outages, and inspections  
  • Who to contact with project or property-specific questions 
  • A list of potential contractors for homeowners to contact 

Contact

For Tacoma Power related questions regarding this project, please contact:  

Michael Robinson, Tacoma Power Project Manager, MWRobinson@Tacoma.gov