Undergrounding utility lines near Big Bend to start in January

Southern California Edison will begin undergrounding utility lines in the Big Bend area of Laguna Canyon Road in January, according to a news release.

The first phase of work will involve constructing underground conduits and vaults, the release said.

Following that work, the underground utilities will be installed and connected to the properties along Laguna Canyon Road. At that time, all poles and overhead wires will be removed, except for a few high voltage lines that connect to a substation on Laguna Canyon Road, the release says.

Crews will break for summer 2015 and resume next September. Laguna Beach is paying $800,000 toward the $3 million project, with Edison contributing the rest, according to the release. The city’s portion is paid out of its street lighting fund.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce