LADWP Reminds Residents and Businesses that Coldwater Canyon Avenue will be Closed for Water Pipe Replacement Construction
Closure Runs March 23-April 25 with Special Accommodations for Local Residents; Drivers Encouraged to Take Alternate Routes
LOS ANGELES– The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reminds city residents and businesses that construction will start this Saturday on the replacement of a portion of the City Trunk Line, a 60-inch diameter pipeline that runs along Coldwater Canyon Avenue between Mulholland Drive and Ventura Boulevard, necessitating closure of the major thoroughfare from March 23-April 25. The closure is necessary to allow the full use of the street for construction equipment and crews. LADWP is replacing the 99-year old pipe in sections with new welded steel pipe as part of an ongoing citywide upgrade to major pipelines in order to ensure reliable service and to comply with federal water quality regulations.
The closure will begin Saturday, March 23, and continue through Thursday, April 25. The hours of closure are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. After 7 p.m. each night, 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and all day Sunday, one lane will be open for traffic in each direction.
"This is a vitally important project to ensure the continued safety and reliability of our drinking water," LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. "I know how difficult it will be to drive through the area during this time, which is why I would urge all of us to find alternate routes during construction. While crews are working to repair this pipeline, my office will ensure that residents, businesses, schools and drivers are kept informed about this project and we will work with all city departments to ensure this is done as safely and efficiently as possible. I thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation."
"This is an important improvement, but it poses an impact and a challenge. I hope for a safe, swift completion," added LA City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.
In 2009, the City Trunk Line ruptured at Coldwater Canyon and Ventura Boulevard, causing flooding of area residents and businesses. Repair costs were over $700,000 and claims totaled nearly $8 million. Water loss was estimated at four million gallons.
Details of the closure were discussed earlier today at a morning press conference near the site of the 2009 rupture with Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who represents the area, joined by Councilmember Tom LaBonge. A representative from the City Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles Police Department also discussed traffic mitigation plans that include electronic signage, traffic control officers, new striping to guide motorists through the area. This press conference was the second of two planned public notification events.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area during the closure and take alternate routes, including: Cahuenga Boulevard/Highland Avenue, Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Beverly Glen Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard and Interstate 405; or consider taking Metro.
LADWP has worked closely with Councilmember Krekorian and his staff, as well as community groups and others, to ensure that their concerns and issues are addressed to the extent possible. Special access permits are being issued to area residents and schools, including Harvard-Westlake, and other facilities along Coldwater between Mulholland Drive and Ventura Boulevard. The actual construction zone is from Dickens Street to Hacienda Drive, where most of the work will occur.
"This project poses particular challenges in engineering and logistics, but our goal is to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate the understanding and patience of the community as we build our city's water system for the next hundred years,"" said Joe Castruita, Director of LADWP Water Distribution.
For information about the closure, please visit www.ladwp.com. To receive e-mail updates on construction progress during the closure, sign-up to receive updates here and select "City Trunk Line – Coldwater Canyon Construction" from the dropdown menu, or follow @LADWP on Twitter.
Councilmember Krekorian produced two videos on the closure. Click here to view the 30-second version; click here to view the full-length version.