Are underground circuit costs about the same as overhead costs?

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The main idea is comparing installation and lifecycle costs of underground versus overhead circuits. Putting circuits underground involves trenching or boring, installing conduit and vaults, using cables rated for burial with extra insulation, and then restoring streets and landscapes. It also requires more specialized equipment, skilled labor, and longer planning and permitting, all of which push the upfront capital cost well above that of overhead lines, which rely on poles, wires, and simpler hardware. Repairs in underground systems can be more time-consuming and expensive because faults are buried and require excavation. While overhead lines may have higher outage costs due to weather and vegetation, the overall installation cost of underground is typically much higher. So, underground circuit costs are not about the same as overhead costs; they are higher.