Work to upgrade distribution circuits in Manhattan Beach will begin in mid-September, according to Southern California Edison (SCE). The company will invest more than $6.2 million in the first phase of a series of projects to upgrade distribution circuits, with work continuing through mid-2015. Subsequent phases will begin later this year.

“Upgrading the circuits in Manhattan Beach will help minimize the likelihood of unanticipated and extended outages,” said Ron Garcia, Local Public Affairs region manager for Manhattan Beach. “We’re not only improving reliability, but building a smarter grid that can handle the needs of customers for decades to come.”

Interested members of the public may attend two public meetings designed to provide information on the projects. The Tuesday, September 9 meeting will be geared toward the El Porto part of the project while the Wednesday September 9 meeting will be on El Porto and Hill Section impacts. Both meetings are from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the presentation at begins at 6 p.m., and SCE employees will be available for one-on-one questions from 6:30-7:30 p.m.. 

The Tuesday night meeting is at Joslyn Center, 1601 N. Valley Drive; the Wednesday night meeting is at Manhattan Beach Preschool, 1431 15th Street.

During the project, some customers may experience "maintenance outages." Details of those outages will be communicated with affected customers in advance so they can make appropriate arrangements.

The project, which includes the installation of 154 new transformers, the replacement of about 660 poles and upgrades to other key distribution equipment to improve reliability, will involve crews replacing existing electrical poles and upgrading underground structures and equipment. Some excavation and trenching may occur, according to SCE. Crews are anticipated to work Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. with deviations possible.

“We understand that there will be inconveniences throughout the project,” said Garcia. “Residents will experience lane closures and maintenance outages. Some of our work might require personnel to access customers’ properties to replace poles. We recognize the potential disruption the work could have on peoples’ lives, but we promise to communicate early and often.”

SCE will provide the latest information about outages at its website and on Twitter.