PROJECT MEMORANDUM - PACIFIC PIPELINE MITIGATIONMONITORING, COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING PROGRAM

 

WEEKLY REPORT (April 20 through 26, 1998)

A. INTRODUCTION

Construction continued on Segment 1 (Milepost [MP] 0 TO 33), Segment 2B (MP 56 to 73); Segment 3 (MP 73 to 99), Segment 4A (MP 99 to 108), Segment 4B (El Segundo MP 0 to 11) and 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 has been on-site during construction. PPSI has five 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 April 20 through 24, 1998 included the following:

Segment 1 Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

• Pot-hole 21.45 (no progress)

• Coating 23.80 to 23.48

• Trench 23.46 to 23.14

• Conduit 23.83 to 23.32

• Lower-In 23.75 to 23.48

• Backfill 23.83 to 23.28

 

Segment 1 Comments:

No non-compliances occurred. Construction is being inspected by both Kern County and Los Angeles County construction inspectors. Tie-in of Block Valve #9 (EMP 30.45) continued. Backfill and cleanup operations at Block Valve #8 (EMP 28.33) and at Stream Crossing #22 (EMP 28.10) were completed. The directional drill pipe at Gorman Slide (EMP 25.94) was successfully hydrotested. On April 22 PPSI halted excavation at EMP 23.15 when contaminated soils were discovered. A contaminated soils specialist collected samples for analysis. The contamination was determined to be crude oil from an unknown source. Excavation resumed April 24 and contaminated soils and water are being handled and disposed of by a contaminated materials subcontractor.

Segment 1 Schedule for Next Week:

Begin grading pasture south of I-5 overcrossing at Lebec Road and finish work at Block Valve 9. Continue to properly dispose of contaminated materials that are excavated from the trench.

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. All construction activities to Templin Highway, except revegetation, were completed by November 9.

A helicopter fly-over inspection with representatives from ANF, Aspen, and PPSI is scheduled for April 29.

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 Fazzari, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has six craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, and one Native American monitor inspecting the work of approximately 95 contractor employees. Construction progress April 20 through 25, 1998 included the following:

Segment 2B Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

• Pot-hole 64.68 to 65.16

• Conduit 63.92 to 64.24

• Trench 64.68 to 65.16

• Backfill 63.92 to 64.24

• Lower-In 64.31 to 65.12

• Paving 63.92 to 64.13

• Coating 64.06 to 64.63

Segment 2B Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. Traffic control has been monitored by Los Angeles County inspector. Water trucks were used for dust suppression throughout the week. All construction activities at the intersection of Magic Mountain Parkway and The Old Road were completed. Exclusion fencing was installed around oak trees on or near the ROW south of Valencia Blvd to McBean Parkway before clearing and grading operations began.

Segment 2B Schedule for Next Week:

Construction will continue along The Old Road to Valencia Blvd. Grading of the ROW through the undeveloped lands adjacent to Interstate 5 will continue for the two weeks or more.

E. SEGMENT 3 CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment is mostly within MTA rail right-of-way from Sylmar to Alameda Street in Los Angeles. Segment 3 EM, Brooke Langle, has been on-site during construction. Segment 3 has two construction spreads, 3A which is San Fernando to south of Taylor Yard and 3B Taylor Yard to Alameda Street. On Segment 3A PPSI has five craft inspectors, one part-time environmental inspector, two Native American monitors, and one contaminated soils inspector inspecting the work of appoximately 90 contractor employees. On Segment 3B, PPSI has one craft inspector, one part-time environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contaminated soils inspector. Construction progress from April 20 through 25, 1998 included the following:

Segment 3 Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

• Pothole 91.90 to 92.53

• Coating 91.55 to 91.90

• Trench 91.80 to 92.45

• Conduit 91.53 to 91.82

• Lower-In 91.56 to 91.97

• Backfill 91.40 to 91.59

Segment 3A Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. On April 22 a worker was fatally injured in the bore pit at W. Broadway Avenue (EM 91.70). Construction was halted for the day during the OSHA investigation. Boring activities have been suspended until further notice. Tie-in at Bekins Way (EMP 90.87) continued.

Southward-headed directional drill at Burbank Crossing (EMP 86.91) continued to experience "frac-outs" (leakage of directional drilling lubricating mud) and equipment failures during the week. The pilot bore was completed on April 23.

Segment 3B Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

• Pothole 98.50 to 97.52

Segment 3B Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. On April 22 construction began on Segment 3B. Crews were reminded to keep construction activities and traffic within the approved 50-foot ROW and control fugitive dust.

Segment 3 Schedule for Next Week:

Segment 3A crew to continue south along railroad ROW. Directional drilling operations to continue reaming. Segment 3B to begin clearing and trenching Cornfield and Midway yards.

F. SEGMENT 4A CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment involves nighttime construction (8:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.) in railroad and roadway right-of-ways through mostly industrial areas from downtown Los Angeles to Compton. Segment 4A EM, Christopher Meyer, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has five craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately 65 contractor employees during construction. Construction progress from April 20 through 24, 1998 included the following:

Segment 4A Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

• Pot-hole 101.43 to 101.56

• Coating 101.21 to 101.37

• Trench 101.43 to 101.56

• Backfill 101.18 to 101.32

• Lower-In 101.29 to 101.37

• Conduit 101.20 to 101.35

 

Segment 4A Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. Continued collapses of trench walls slowed progress and required additional shoring. On April 21 an unmarked steel conduit was cut, interrupting traffic signal lights at the Hollywood Freeway exit onto Alameda Street. City crews were notified and repairs were made immediately. This conduit was bumped two times with a backhoe bucket on April 24; no obvious damage occurred. On April 22 an abandoned Southern California gas line was cut, releasing fumes. The contamination specialist monitored the emissions until it was safe to resume work in the area.

Segment 4A Schedule for Next Week:

Ensure that contractor crews are informed and abide by the mitigation measures that relate to foreign utility lines.

G. 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 April 20 through 24, 1998 included the following:

Segment 4B Activities

Activity El Segundo Milepost (approx)

• Bore pit 8.09 (Grevillea Ave)-lower-in

• Bore pit 6.46 (Crenshaw Bl)-trenching

• Bore pit 5.92 (Van Ness Ave)-continue

• Bore pit 7.58 (Oxford Ave)-backfilling

• Bore pit 4.34 (Budlong Ave)-continue

• Bore pit 7.45 (Prairie Ave)-backfilling

• Bore pit 4.10 (Vermont Ave)-continue

• Pot-hole 1.10 (108th Street)

• Trenching 8.22 to 8.36

Segment 4B Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. On April 23 a crane was trapped on the rail when railroad arms lowered as a train approached. The arms were manually lifted and the craine driven off the tracks out of the way of the train. A memorandum was issued recommending better coordination with the railroad representative. Lower-in and backfilling operations continue at Aviation Blvd (ESMP 9.59), Hawthorne Blvd (ESMP 7.92) and at Dominguez Channel (ESMP 6.37).

Segment 4B Schedule for Next Week:

Continue trenching operations to connect bored road crossings.

H. 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. Segment 5C EM, Pete Messick, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has three craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately30 contractor employees. Construction is complete on Segments 5A and 5B. Construction progress from April 20 through 25, 1998 included the following.

Segment 5C Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

• Pot-hole 116.90 to 116.94

• Coating 117.12 to 117.20 (no progress)

• Trench 117.20 (no progress)

• Backfill 117.12 to 117.20

• Lower-In 117.20 (no progress)

• Conduit 117.12 to 117.20

Segment 5C Comments:

No non-compliances occurred. Dewatering of pond south of Sepulveda Blvd (EMP116.84) continued. Pipe was pushed through at bore of Sepulveda Blvd (EMP 116.73).

Segment 5C Schedule for Next Week:

Continue pumping of pond. When pond is drained, excavation will begin through that area.

I. VARIANCES

The following variance was approved by CPUC or ANF April 20 through 24, 1998.

J. EXTRA WORK SPACE

No extra work spaces/equipment storage areas were approved/denied by CPUC or ANF April 20 through 24, 1998.

K. GENERAL PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK

No extra work spaces/equipment storage areas were approved/denied by CPUC or ANF April 20 through 24, 1998.

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