August 21, 2026
Utilities across the country are investing billions to strengthen the electric grid. But before new transmission lines and substation equipment can be installed, civil teams must build access roads, prepare foundations, and take other steps to get sites ready for construction.
In a recent Jacksonville Business Journal article, Jonathan Uhl, Regional Manager for Phillips Power, discusses the critical role civil construction plays in preparing sites for grid modernization.
Here are three key takeaways from the piece:
Building new utility infrastructure isn't as simple as installing poles, wires, or substations. Long before electrical crews arrive, civil teams are responsible for preparing sites so construction can move forward safely and efficiently.
That work may include building temporary or permanent access roads, clearing vegetation, grading sites, installing foundations, or addressing challenging soil conditions. In many cases, crews must also work around wetlands, protected habitats, existing utilities, and other environmental constraints.
“A power project may look electrical on paper, but many of the biggest cost, schedule, and risk drivers are civil in scope,” Uhl said.
Grid modernization projects are most successful when civil teams, electrical contractors, utilities, and engineers begin planning together early.
Coordinating schedules, identifying site constraints, and addressing potential challenges from the outset helps create a smoother transition from site preparation to electrical installation. It also gives project teams time to adjust plans, sequence work more effectively, and reduce the likelihood of costly delays or unexpected issues once construction is underway.
Uhl points to Florida Power & Light's 500-kilovolt transmission modernization program in South Florida as an example. The multi-year project required civil crews to complete access road improvements and foundation installations beneath energized transmission lines before electrical contractors could install new structures and equipment.
“A lot of the success came from early engagement between the civil and electrical teams,” Uhl said. “That early coordination really benefited and contributed to the success of the program.”
Even with careful planning, utility projects rarely unfold exactly as expected. Weather, changing site conditions, permitting requirements, and unforeseen challenges all require teams to adapt throughout construction.
One way contractors can better manage those changes is through self-performance.
Rather than relying entirely on subcontractors, Phillips self-performs a wide range of civil construction services, including vegetation management, access road construction, site development, and foundation work. Having those capabilities in-house provides greater continuity throughout the project, allowing teams to respond more quickly as conditions evolve.
“We have employees with different backgrounds and areas of expertise across a wide range of scopes,” Uhl said. “Our diversity of resources and our ability to scale really sets us apart.”
Successful grid modernization projects begin with strong site preparation. From access roads and foundations to complex site development and early project coordination, Phillips Power helps utilities lay the groundwork for safe, efficient construction.
Ready to move your next utility project forward? Contact the Phillips team.