I don’t understand why most power lines are above ground in suburban areas when we know it leads to power outages from high wind and fallen trees. Why do urban areas usually have power lines below ground? Limited space?
In: Engineering
Cost.
It’s cheaper to design and install the lines and maintain them afterwards. It also requires a much less obstructive right of way from landholders, as the power poles and bucket truck access isn’t the sort of access you need with underground lines (which need manholes and underground access points).
Lower installation cost and lower maintenance cost means that underground lines are only for dense cities and expensive neighborhoods.
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