PG&E Begins Coffey Park Reinstallation Work

SANTA ROSA, CA — Pacific Gas & Electric Company began working Monday on installing new underground electric and gas utilities in Coffey Park, where some 6,000 homes were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire in October 2017. Much of the north Santa Rosa neighborhood's underground electrical equipment, such as cables and transformers, was also destroyed during the wildfires due to high temperatures. The equipment, along with approximately 13 miles of electric cable, needs to be completely replaced.

PG&E will also install approximately 15 miles of new gas mains and service lines, made up of the most current materials, and place it within the same trench, company officials said in a news release announcing the launch of the rebuilding project.

"Because the safety of our customers, crews and communities we serve is always our top priority, our first job during, and immediately after, the fires was to safely restore power and gas to customers who could receive it," said Marty Sunday, electric superintendent of PG&E’s Sonoma Division, a 30-year resident of Windsor.

"Then, temporary overhead power lines were put in so customers could have electricity to begin the rebuilding process where restoration wasn’t possible," Sunday said. "Now that we’ve coordinated a plan with the city and other utilities, we can begin this next phase in helping rebuild Santa Rosa."

PG&E aims to complete the Coffey Park construction and have permanent gas and electricity turned on by the end of the year.

"I’ll have five crews from Northern California, including Sonoma County, working here 12 hours a day," said John Costanza, general construction superintendent for PG&E’s Northern Region.

Coffey Park is divided into five sections, or zones, in which PG&E crews will move from zone to zone until complete. Customers will also see equipment moving to and from the staging area located on Coffey and Dennis lanes, along with flaggers directing the heavy loads. All personnel are required to carry a valid photo ID.

Robin Christensen, head of PG&E’s NorCal Rebuild Team, said extensive collaboration across local government, utilities, customers, builders and contractors was required to make the project happen.

"... We will continue to work together to support our customers in every way during these trying times," Christensen said. "This is a huge milestone for us and the community, and it’s one of the most visible examples of rebuild progress in the area."

Photos by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com