Underground Power Project to Boost Safety, Reliability Near Mount Hood

By The Mountain Times Staff

A major infrastructure project aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving power reliability is set to begin this May near Mount Hood.

Portland General Electric (PGE) will start a two-year effort to move approximately seven miles of overhead power lines underground in the Government Camp area. Construction will take place during the summer months of 2026 and 2027 and will be completed in three main sections.

According to PGE, burying the lines will help prevent wildfires, strengthen the electrical grid and reduce both the frequency and duration of outages, particularly during extreme weather.

Residents and visitors can expect intermittent construction impacts, including noise, dust, increased truck traffic, and occasional lane closures. The Snow Bunny parking lot will be closed to the public during portions of the project, and some nearby hiking and biking trails may also be temporarily inaccessible.

PGE is encouraging community members to share feedback and learn more about the project through its website.

Questions? For more information, visit portlandgeneral.com/projects or scan the QR code. 

Comments? Send comments to: CommunityConnect@pgn.com