SCE Undergrounding Project Update – posted 11.22.24
A NEEDED BREAK! SCE will not be doing any road work along Topanga Canyon Blvd from Wednesday, November 27 – Saturday, November 30. Work will resume the following Monday.
The Topanga Town Council is still working with both SCE and Caltrans to further reduce the traffic delays.
*To get more road info direct from SCE, check out SCE’s special webpage for other updates.
SCE Undergrounding Project Update – posted 8.29.24
As you all know by now, SCE has been hardening the electric grid and infrastructure in the Santa Monica Mountains since the Woolsey Fire. This includes installing covered conductors, fire-resistant power poles, circuit protective devices, and underground cables. All of this is to make our mountain community more safe from wildfires.
Their current project is undergrounding the distribution lines in targeted areas along TCB (not all of the boulevard). Phase One is happening now (see map) and will continue until the end of May. The Topanga Town Council, TCEP and other local organizations continues its communication with SCE about the concerns regarding traffic delays, lack of signage, not working on Red Flag Days, and better communication. The Town Council and TCEP is also in discussion with SCE on possible ways to speed up the construction process—including the possibility of working on weekends and/or nights.
We know this road construction is another burden for the community—and all the hardship that goes with it. Know that plans are are in the works to improve all the many concerns of the Topanga community—with the goal of keeping Topanga fire safe.
View SCE’s powerpoint presentation of the Topanga Undergrounding Project that was recently made to the Town Council here.
SCE Undergrounding Project – posted 7.31.24
July 2024, Southern California Edison began a project to underground power lines on Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Phase one of the work, which will continue through end of May 2025, will take place on TCB between Woodland Crest and Rubicon Rd.
Phase 1: Topanga Canyon Blvd. – Woodland Crest to Rubicon Rd.
Timeline: July to early 2025
Construction Hours: Mon-Fri from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (excluding weekends, holidays, and Red Flag conditions. *Dates and time subject to change. Traffic control on site.)
Faced with the ongoing threat of more frequent and catastrophic wildfires, California needs more resilient infrastructure. SCE has identified a subset of high fire risk areas as “Severe Risk Areas” where they have determined that for public safety reasons it is prudent to significantly reduce ignition risk by undergrounding, if not already hardened with covered conductor.
Underground systems can help reduce the risk of wildfires and increase reliability during high winds and storms by reducing the exposure of electrical infrastructure to extreme weather conditions. SCE is identifying the highest risk power lines to underground and Topanga Canyon Blvd is a targeted area. With the wires underground, it limits the danger of something hitting our lines and starting a fire.” Customers will continue to see other equipment overhead, including telephone, cable and internet lines.
The build begins with a backhoe. Crews first need to carve out a hole big enough to fit the vaults that will hold the electrical equipment. Then, trenches are dug along the entirety of the project line which will act as pathways for new wires that are encased in a protective covering and run between the vaults. Crews then lower the vaults into the ground with a crane before all the electrical equipment and underground cables are added inside.
What Customers Can Expect During Construction:
• SCE contractor crews with Herman Weissker Power are responsible for potholing, trenching, vault/manhole/conduit installation and asphalt restoration.
• They will perform cable installation and remove existing high-voltage overhead electrical lines and associated equipment (e.g., transformer, switches). Keep in mind, there may be noise related to the construction work during operating hours.
• To ensure your safety during construction, there will be road, traffic lane and sidewalk closures.
• Crews will use appropriate traffic control signs and flags.
• Crews, surveyors and/or inspectors may need to access utility poles and equipment on your property. We will attempt to notify you before visiting your property.
• Crews may need to dig, trim or remove vegetation or trees to safely access electrical equipment. In addition, upon completion, we will return the area to its previous appearance.
Resources:
Learn more about SCE’s Targeted Undergrounding (TUG) program: sce.com/tug.
If there are questions, please email SCEprojects@sce.com or call 888-331-0010 and leave a message.
An SCE representative will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.