A Langley construction project dedicated to fixing utility lines began its first step last week, with surveyors collecting soil samples to be analyzed.

The Langley Infrastructure Project is funded by a $3 million grant and a $4 million bond approved by voters last November, with the goal to update water, sewer and stormwater lines.

Residents out for a walk last week may have noticed drilling crews around East Langley. Mechanized drilling equipment made holes 10 feet below the surface to collect data.

City Public Works Director Stan Berryman said the geotechnical team and a wetlands expert are working together on the project during its first phase.

In addition, there is an archaeological component to the field work. During the digging, the team is on the lookout for any implications of burial artifacts, Berryman explained.

The borings, or holes, were made in about 20 different locations to determine what soils are under the ground to help with engineering designs. These included along Sixth Street, Fourth Street, Edgecliff Drive, Furman Avenue and Decker Avenue. The samples will be analyzed during the following months.

Berryman said the city hopes to have the engineering designs completed and have the project go out to bid before the end of this year. He estimates the actual construction won’t happen until 2021.

“These are substantial public infrastructure improvements, and much needed,” Berryman said. “And it is an essential project too, under the governor’s order.”