WEEKLY REPORT (July 20 through 26, 1998)
| TO: Andrew Barnsdale, CPUC/Rich Borden, ANF |
| FROM: Hamid Rastegar/Kris Thorne |
| RE: PPSI: Week 57 Report; July 20 through 26, 1998 |
| DATE: August 12, 1998 |
A. INTRODUCTION
Construction continued on Segment 1 (Milepost [MP] 0 to 33), Segment 2A (MP 33 to 50), Segment 2B (MP 56 to 73), Segment 2C (MP 50 to 56), Segments 3A and 3B (MP 73 to 99), Segment 4A (MP 99 to 108) and Segment 4B (El Segundo MP 0 to 11). Construction has been halted on Segment 5 (MP 108 to 118).
B. SEGMENT 1 CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment extends southward from the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley (Emidio), through the Tejon Pass, to the northern perimeter of the Angeles National Forest. Construction will occur through agricultural fields, along roads and across very steep slopes. Segment 1 Environmental Monitor (EM), Lynn Stafford and Tejon Bench EM, Sandy Etchell, have been on-site during construction. PPSI has eight craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contaminated soils monitor inspecting the work of approximately 65 contractor employees. Construction progress from July 20 through 24, 1998 included the following:
Segment 1-South Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Conduit 20.54 (complete) • Backfill 20.54 (complete)
Segment 1-North Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Pot-hole 9.98 to 8.37 • Coating 10.10 to 9.98
• Trenching 11.91 to 11.61; skip to 9.90 • Conduit 14.70 to 14.38
• Lower-In 10.10 to 9.91 • Backfill 14.70 to 14.38
Segment 1-Tejon Bench:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Clearing 10.10 (no progress)
Segment 1 Comments:
No non-compliances occurred. Crews continue to be working all along Segment 1. The bore under specimen oak tree #2 along Lebec Road (EMP 24.82) was started. Pipe-laying continued through the Tejon wetland (EMP 20.73 to 20.60). Excavation for the bore pit on the west side of Grapevine I-5 (EMP 13.33) was completed.
Cement for foundation at Emidio Pump Station (EMP 0.0) was poured in early morning hours to avoid the high daytime temperatures. Activity at the Grapevine Pump Station (EMP 15.51 to 15.57) continued to be halted while asbestos-coated pipe that was discovered during potholing was removed by a licensed hazardous materials operator.
No construction activities occurred on the Tejon Bench this week.
Project memos were issued to remind PPSI of the mitigation measures that are relevant to construction occurring in San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat.
Segment 1 Schedule for Next Week:
Begin deep bore pit on west side for bore under I-5 at Grapevine.
C. SEGMENT 2A CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment within the Angeles National Forest (ANF) involved very steep slopes and required significant time and additional equipment for trenching, stringing, and other pipe-laying activities. Although general construction was completed in this segment last year, a number of supplemental activities began in June to repair damage to ANF roads and the pipeline ROW caused by winter rains. Segment 2A EM, Sandy Etchell, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has two craft inspectors and one environmental inspector inspecting the work of approximately 50 contractor employees.
Construction progress July 20 through 24, 1998, included seeding between EMP 44.51 and 45.43. Fiber optic conduit was pulled from EMP 36.00 to 41.01. Sandbagging of exposed pipe occurred at EMP 47.74. Erosion control measures were installed between EMPs 45.54 and 45.43 and EMPs 35.20 and 34.86. No non-compliance events occurred. Erosion control repair and fiber optic cable installation activities will continue next week.
D. SEGMENT 2B CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment is primarily in open lands and roadway right-of-ways from Castaic to Sylmar. Segment 2B EM, Chris Huntley, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has seven craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, and one Native American monitor inspecting the work of approximately 95 contractor employees. Construction progress July 20 through 25, 1998 included the following:
Segment 2B Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Pot-hole 69.37 to 69.81 • Conduit 68.79 to 69.02
• Trench 68.90 to 69.40 • Backfill 68.79 to 69.02
• Lower-In 68.73 to 69.30 • Paving 68.73 to 68.94
• Coating 68.73 to 69.10
Segment 2B Comments:
No non-compliance events occurred. Excavation and dewatering of the deep bore at Feedmill Road (EMP 64.26) continues. Bore crew completed pull of concrete-coated pipe through the bore at EMP 65.36. Excavation for bore pits at Calgove Avenue was completed and pits are being dewatered. Trenching is slow south on The Old Road because of the underground utilities.
Crews working Saturdays on Newhall Land and Farming property. Removal of construction fencing (includilng electric cattle fence, silt fence, and exclusion fence) has begun.
Project memo was issued to remind PPSI that hand tools must be used in utility intensive areas.
Segment 2B Schedule for Next Week:
Construction will progress southward along The Old Road south of Calgrove Blvd and traffic will be restricted to one-lane in each direction.
E. SEGMENT 2C CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment is primarily in open lands and roadway right-of-ways from Templin Highway to Castaic. Segment 2C EM, Kim Beyer, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has three craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, and one Native American monitor inspecting the work of approximately 40 contractor employees. Construction progress July 20 through 24, 1998 included the following:
Segment 2C Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Pot-hole 54.81 to 54.17 • Trenching 55.07 to 54.67
• Grading 55.19 to 54.38
Segment 2C Comments:
No non-compliance events occurred. Hog-wire fencing was installed along ROW to protect drainage near EMP 54.39 from rock falling during grading activities along ridge-tops. Pipe is being installed at Marple Canyon Creek crossing (EMP 56.65). Construction activities are being halted for the day when high-fire-danger criteria (as determined by Los Angeles Fire Marshall) are reached. This will probably be commonplace for the remainder of the summer.
Project memos were issued to remind PPSI that all personnel shall stay within the approved ROW at all times, that only approved access roads may be used, and that hand tools must be used in utility intensive areas and within 24 inches of underground structures.
Segment 2C Schedule for Next Week:
Continue pipe installation at Marple Canyon Creek. Construction is beginning at 5:00 a.m. next week.
F. SEGMENT 3A CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment is within MTA rail right-of-way from Sylmar to Taylor Yard in Los Angles. Segment 3A EM, Brooke Langle, has been on-site during construction. On Segment 3A, PPSI has seven craft inspectors, one part-time environmental inspector, two Native American monitors, and one contaminated soils inspector inspecting the work of approximately 60 contractor employees. Construction progress from July 20 through 24, 1998 included the following:
Segment 3A Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Trench no activity this week • Conduit 94.34 to 94.58
• Lower-In no activity this week • Backfill 94.31 to 94.58
• Coating 94.55 to 94.58
Segment 3A Comments:
No non-compliance events occurred. Ram bore at EMP 94.50 continued. Work is progressing slowly at deep bore under the Sycamore Wash drain pipe (EMP 94.90). Backfill, padding, and fiber optic conduit crews moved up ROW to finish skipped open areas of trench.
Project memo was issued to remind PPSI that all construction activities shall stay within the approved ROW.
Segment 3A Schedule for Next Week:
Crews to continue working on skipped areas throughout this segment and clean-up of construction debris left on ROW.
G. SEGMENT 3B CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment is within MTA rail right-of-way in restricted areas of Taylor Yard and involves nighttime construction (5:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.). Segment 3B EM, Pete Messick has been on-site during construction. On Segment 3B, PPSI has three craft inspectors, one Native American monitor, and one contaminated soils inspector inspecting the work of approximately 45 contractor employees. Construction progress from July 20 through 24, 1998 included the following:
Segment 3B Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Pothole 97.12 (complete) • Coating 96.53 to 96.95
• Trenching 97.01 to 97.12 • Conduit 96.40 to 96.36
• Lower-In 96.53 to 96.95 • Backfill 96.40 to 96.36
Segment 3B Comments:
No non-compliance events occurred. Two crews continue to work two shifts on Segment 3B - front-end crew (trenching, laying and welding) works from 5:30 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. and back-end crew (tie-in, x-ray, coating and backfill) works from 9:30 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Boring progressing at the deep (26-feet) bore in north Taylor Yard (EMP 94.90). Repairs were completed on MTA sprinkler system. Bore pit excavated on Midway Yard on east side of rail tracks (EMP 97.38)
Segment 3B Schedule for Next Week:
Continue construction activities in restricted MTA ROW at Taylor Yard. Begin bore under MTA tracks at Midway Yard.
H. SEGMENT 4A-NIGHT CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment involves both nighttime (7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) and daytime construction in railroad and roadway right-of-ways through mostly industrial areas from downtown Los Angeles to Compton. Segment 4A-Night EM, Christopher Meyer, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has six craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately 75 contractor employees during nighttime construction. Construction progress from July 20 through 24, 1998 included:
Segment 4A-Night Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Pot-hole 104.42 to 104.48 • Coating 104.39 to 104.42
• Trench 104.44 to 104.45 • Conduit 104.28 to 104.34
• Lower-In 104.40 to 104.43 • Backfill 104.28 to 104.34
Segment 4A-Night Comments:
No non-compliance events occurred. Contractor has crews only at south end of the segment. Crew worked on bore under Randolph Street railroad tracks. Pot-holing progress at Gage Street (EMP 104.48) is slow because of sandy soil conditions and repeated collapses of excavations. Crews continue to try to abide by the traffic control plans.
Segment 4A-Night Schedule for Next Week:
Contractor to begin asphalt cutting north of Commercial Street mid-week next week.
I. SEGMENT 4A-DAY CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
Segment 4A-Day EM, Neda Fioozat, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has two craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately 35 contractor employees during nighttime construction. Construction progress from July 20 through 25, 1998 included:
Segment 4A-Day Activities:
Activity Milepost (approximate)
• Pot-hole 106.70 to 106.45 • Coating 106.73 to 106.42
• Trench 106.70 to 106.45 • Conduit 106.90 to 106.78
• Lower-In 106.73 to 106.42 • Backfill 106.90 to 106.78
Segment 4A-Day Comments:
No non-compliance events occurred. Construction continuing north up E. Alameda past Iowa Avenue. Special crossing at Tweedy Blvd (EMP 107.50) continued.
Early in the week project memos were issued to remind PPSI that hand tools must be used in utility intensive areas and that construction activities and materials shall stay within the approved ROW.
Non-Compliance Event for Segment 4A-Days
| Mitigation Measure/PC | Description/Non-compliance Level |
First Observed |
Corrected |
Status |
| SS-2.2: Use hand tools to excavate when within 24 inches of underground utilities | Marked water line damaged by a backhoe - Level 3 |
7/24/98 |
7/24/98 |
Acceptable |
Segment 4A-Day Schedule for Next Week:
Continue crossing at Tweedy Blvd and general activities on E. Alameda.
J. SEGMENT 4B CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment involves construction in railroad and roadway right-of-ways through mostly industrial areas from Watts Junction to El Segundo Refinery area. Segment 4B EM, Neda Fioozat, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has five craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one part-time Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately 70 contractor employees. Construction progress from July 20 through 25, 1998 included the following:
Segment 4B Activities:
Activity El Segundo Milepost (approx)
• Bore 2.79 (San Pedro St)-continue • Bore pit 1.83 (Central Av) - continue
• Bore 1.68 (Slater Av) - continue • Bore pit 1.40 (Compton St)
Segment 4B Comments:
No non-compliance events occurred. Laying pipe and backfilling activities occurred at Wilkie Avenue (ESMP 6.27) toward Van Ness. Pipe is being pushed through Compton Creek crossing. Trenching began at Western Avenue (ESMP 5.26).
Segment 4B Schedule for Next Week:
Continue work at skipped areas tieing-in bore with mainline.
K. SEGMENT 5 CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
This segment involves construction in railroad and roadway right-of-ways through mostly industrial areas from Compton to the Long Beach Harbor. Construction is complete on Segments 5A and 5B. No construction activities occurred on Segment 5C and are not expected to resume until night work on Segment 3B is completed.
L. VARIANCES
No variances were approved by CPUC or ANF July 20 through 24, 1998.
M. EXTRA WORK SPACE
No extra work space/equipment storage areas were approved by CPUC or ANF July 20 through 24, 1998.
N. GENERAL PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
Construction on Segments 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A (day and night shifts), and 4B and Emidio and Grapevine stations to continue.