OROVILLE, CA (MPG) — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has begun on construction of an underground line beneath Bald Rock Road in Berry Creek to replace overhead power lines and poles that burned in the North Complex Fire.

Motorists are advised to expect intermittent traffic delays such as one-way traffic controls now through about mid-March. The contractor will work between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, including an occasional Saturday, but not on holidays.

PG&E’s contractor started work this week in the first phase of the project, which includes about 0.4 miles of Bald Rock Road from Oro Quincy Highway to Rockefeller Road. PG&E expects to continue installation of underground lines on Bald Rock Road throughout the first six months of 2021.

PG&E chose to rebuild the power line underground rather than overhead in part because the previous location often veered from the road and crossed rough terrain, making it more difficult to access and patrol during troubleshooting for power outages.

In 2019, PG&E constructed about 1.2 miles of underground lines along Lumpkin Road in Feather Falls.

Customers impacted by wildfires who are going to rebuild or have questions are urged to contact PG&E early and apply for temporary power by visiting www.pge.com/cco or email [email protected].