Town Council Discusses Mason Ave Lighting Upgrades

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Town Council met Thursday to review plans for the long-discussed Mason Avenue Electrical Upgrade Project, a phased effort intended to modernize electrical infrastructure, improve street lighting and support future streetscape improvements along the town’s main commercial corridor.

Town officials outlined both the history of the project and the challenges currently affecting Mason Avenue, particularly along the north side of the street between Peach and Harbor avenues.

Longstanding Electrical Problems

According to town staff, the project originated after officials identified undersized electrical wiring serving streetlights on the west end of the north side of Mason Avenue. The inadequate wiring causes voltage drops that reduce lighting performance.

The electrical limitations have also created safety concerns during seasonal events.

Each year, holiday decorations and tree lighting require temporary surface wiring running along sidewalks from light poles to trees, a setup officials described as awkward and potentially unsafe.

The town issued an Invitation for Bids in early 2025, but received only one proposal totaling more than $400,000. A recent on-site review with a contractor revealed several physical obstacles along the corridor that must be addressed before electrical work can proceed.

Sidewalk and Streetscape Constraints

Staff reported that the north side of Mason Avenue between Peach and Harbor contains several layout issues complicating the project:

• 10 light poles along the corridor
• 22 planting beds, about half containing trees
• Five trees considered oversized or poorly positioned
• Sixteen planting beds wider than typical standards, limiting sidewalk space

Only three of those beds allow a standard five-foot-wide sidewalk within the right-of-way, while nine sections provide less than four feet. One segment narrows to roughly 1.5 feet, creating accessibility concerns.

Additionally, two handicap-accessible parking spaces require ramps.

Conditions on the south side of Mason Avenue are generally better, officials said. The wiring there is properly sized, and sidewalks remain unobstructed until the area near the war memorial. However, one oversized tree and a crosswalk lacking an accessible ramp were also identified.

Streetscape Coordination Underway

The town is coordinating with local organizations including Cape Charles Main Street and the Cape Charles Historic District Review Board to determine the desired long-term streetscape design.

Planning discussions include:

• The number and placement of street trees
• Possible landscaping improvements
• Structural enhancements to planting beds
• Potential additional streetlights on Mason Avenue and Strawberry Street

Cape Charles Main Street has also engaged the Commonwealth Preservation Group to provide professional recommendations.

Proposed Electrical Improvements

The revised design for a new bid package includes several infrastructure upgrades:

• Increasing the power supply on the north side to 200 amps
• Installing new 2-inch conduit and properly sized wiring
• Intercepting and integrating the existing south-side electrical system
• Adding in-ground junction boxes for streetlights and trees
• Installing power pedestals with GFCI outlets in planting beds
• Creating separate electrical circuits for each block

Officials said the upgrades would support future streetlights and seasonal tree lighting while eliminating temporary surface wiring.

Phase One Planned for 2026

The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with work funded in the town’s FY 2026 budget.

Phase One includes approximately $164,000, including a $50,000 grant from Northampton County tourism funds that can only be used for electrical improvements.

Current estimates include:

• $85,000 for site preparation work
• $50,000 for conduit, wiring and junction boxes on the north side of Mason Avenue between Harbor and Bay avenues

This first phase will create the electrical backbone needed to support future streetlights and power pedestals for holiday tree lighting.

Future Phases

Additional phases may include:

• Completing electrical infrastructure from Peach to Harbor on the north side
• Installing junction boxes and power pedestals on the south side
• Electrical upgrades along Strawberry Street between Mason and Randolph
• Installing six new streetlights between Harbor and Bay and six on Strawberry Street
• Enhancing planting beds and landscaping

Town staff said updated cost estimates for future phases will be prepared after Phase One is completed and recommendations from the preservation consultants are reviewed.

The remaining work could be incorporated into the town’s Capital Asset Management Plan (CAMP) and considered during the FY 2027 budgeting process.

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Wayne Creed

Administrator

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