Power lines still mar Lexington’s landscapes. We need to continue to bury them.

While admiring our city’s beautiful architecture, visiting our state-of-the-art museums, and reading our important Kentucky historical markers, I cannot unsee the copious amounts of electrical wire that adorn our oldest and most picturesque streets. These tiny tubes of technology that sit atop our heads while walking downtown, and through various side streets that border the University of Kentucky’s campus, are perched high and droop low. One can find them not only attached to utility poles, but to buildings. And although they sometimes stand alone, other times they are accompanied by transformers, street lights, flood lights, and other ancillary wires that remain rolled up.

I first noticed these worrisome wires while taking a photograph of the Lexington Financial Center building, the crown jewel of the cityscape. Walking along Short Street and Church Street, I had to attempt a few different intersections to snap a picture that excluded any power lines. And I don’t mean two or three power lines that were hardly noticeable, but rather a union of these connected cords that resembled a Spaghetti Junction.

Shortly after this episode, I experienced a double dose of my newfound electrical epiphany. Strolling down Prall Street and coming to a perfect vantage point of the University of Kentucky’s pride, Memorial Hall, my view was diluted by an abundance of crisscrossed and coiled up power lines. Surely, I thought, Memorial Hall deserves better! Minutes later, while heading north on South Limestone Street, I had to sidestep a fallen power line that dangled low enough to walk into directly. Of course, damages and repairs are bound to occur, but this sparked my curiosity concerning Lexington’s upcoming agenda for these voltage vines.

Performing an internet search, I became aware of the Lexington Underground Transmission Project, which took place in 2019. According to the Kentucky Utilities Company provided map, this work primarily took place on High Street and Rose Street with the goal of replacing underground transmission circuits and overhead electrical transmission lines that were installed in the 1970s. Digging deeper, I found that Lexington has taken stabs at replacing overhead power lines during the 1950s, the 1970s, and the 1990s. With this issue being revisited at regular intervals, is there an upcoming plan to slowly convert more overhead lines to underground lines on some of Lexington’s most important streets?

My raw interest stems from aesthetics, which I believe is vital to locals and tourists alike. Intentional beauty in urban centers promotes creativity, passion, and the pride that citizens need to continue building and preserving an influential place. Moreover, there are benefits on the practical side as well. Yes, it costs significant money to retrofit power lines to be underground, but some studies suggest it is ultimately safer for residents, there are less outages, less service interruptions, and less maintenance needed.

I am not an electrician or engineer who understands the intricacies of supplying power to a large city. Additionally, I do not specialize in knowing Lexington Fayette Urban County Government’s budget, contracts, current plans, and future initiatives. Indeed, I am very thankful for the power lines (and those who install and manage them) that allow the bars, boutiques, coffee shops, schools, and venues in downtown Lexington to thrive. That being said, I am invested in our city’s progression. With many larger and mid-size cities facilitating this same conversation, where does Lexington stand? Let’s get plugged into the future and enhance the Horse Capital of the World.

Hayden McNeil is a Kentucky native who returned home to work as a Project Manager after completing his graduate studies in New England.

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 1:08 PM.