Streetlights

High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Program

The High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Program is replacing aging high-voltage streetlight circuits with safer and more reliable low-voltage circuits. The program is also replacing the existing streetlights with more energy-efficient LED streetlights. The program is being implemented in phases. Updates on the progress of the various phases can be found below.

Phase 1: Los Prados High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Project (Completed November 2017)

The Phase 1 project, also known as the Los Prados High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Project, includes two high-voltage circuits in the Los Prados Neighborhood. The locations included in the Phase 1 project are shown on the map below.

Map Phase 1

This project was completed in November 2017.

Phase 2: Baywood High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Project (Completed July 2023)

The Phase 2 project, also known as the Baywood High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Project includes two high-voltage circuits in the Baywood-Aragon Neighborhood. The locations included in the Phase 2 project are shown on the map below.

Map Phase 2

This project was completed in July 2023

Phase 3: High Voltage Streetlight Conversion (Active)

The scope of the Phase 3 project has been modified. Three of the seven circuits that were previously planned to be included in Phase 3 have been moved to Phase 4. The locations comprising the revised Phase 3 project are shown on the map below.

Map of Phase 3

October 11, 2023 Update – The primary underground work is complete. The project is currently suspended due to delays in the process of establishing new PG&E electrical service connections for the converted circuits. Construction is expected to resume near the end of January 2024, with approximately two months of work remaining.

November 22, 2022 Update - The High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Phase 3 project was awarded at City Council on August 15, 2022. Construction began in mid-October 2022. The underground work will be completed in January 2023. Due to long lead times on the poles and light fixtures, construction will resume in Spring 2023 to complete the project.

May 19, 2022 Update - The High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Phase 3 project was advertised for construction on May 18, 2022. Construction is expected to begin in August 2022. The Phase 3 project will convert high-voltage circuits at various locations around San Mateo to safer and more reliable low-voltage circuits. The project will also replace the old streetlights with more energy-efficient LED lights.

Phase 4: High Voltage Streetlight Conversion (Active)

The Phase 4 project will finish the process of converting the City’s high-voltage streetlight circuits to safer and more reliable low-voltage circuits. Phase 4 will convert twelve high-voltage circuits consisting of approximately 164 streetlights. The locations included in the Phase 4 project are shown on the map below.

Map of Phase 4

October 11, 2023 Update – Design of Phase 4 is ongoing. Longer than expected lead times are being encountered in the process of establishing new PG&E electrical service connections. Completion of design is currently expected in February of 2024, with construction to occur between May and September of 2024.

November 22, 2022 Update – The consultant design contract for the High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Phase 4 Project was awarded on July 18, 2022, and design is underway. Completion of design is expected towards the end of summer 2023. Construction is expected to occur between January and May of 2024.

Have questions about the High Voltage Streetlight Conversion Program? Call us at 650-522-7300 or email us at publicworks@cityofsanmateo.org.

Our Streetlights

Well-lit streets make for safer streets

We have a maintenance program that proactively addresses streetlight outages on major streets. We change out inoperative bulbs on major streets on a quarterly basis. In recent years, we have been switching out bulbs with LED bulbs and have updated approximately 90 percent of our streetlights.

You can help us maintain well-lit streets by letting us know if any of our 7,500 streetlights are broken, flickering or dark. We strive to make an initial response within 48 hours. To report a malfunctioning streetlight, call us at 650-522-7300 or email us at publicworks@cityofsanmateo.org, or complete the online issue form here.

Who owns the lights?

We share the operation and maintenance of all of our streetlights with PG&E, which means that when a light needs repair or replacement we must first determine who owns the light in question. Below are visuals to explain how we manage our different styles of streetlights.

To report a malfunctioning City-managed street light, call us at 650-522-7300 or email us at publicworks@cityofsanmateo.org. To contact PG&E about one of its managed street lights, click here.

For more information on who owns a street light throughout the state, visit PG&E's page here.