The following constitutes the March 1998 Monthly Report for the Pacific Pipeline Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program (MMCRP) contract. It should be noted that since the start of construction daily and weekly reports summarizing monitoring activities have been issued and are available on the project web page for review.
CONSTRUCTION MONITORING
Segment 1 Construction: Segment 1 runs from the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley at Emidio, through the Tejon Pass, to the northern boundary of the ANF in Los Angeles County. Construction of Segment 1 commenced on November 5, 1997. Primary activities during the month of March are presented in Table 1. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 1 during March.
During March, the bore at Gorman Creek (MP 32.40) was completed. During the first two weeks of March traffic control was monitored daily by a Los Angeles County inspector. On March 6, the main strand of the San Andreas fault zone was trenched. Aspens technical expert for geology was on-site to document crossing. The directional drill of Gorman Slide commenced in March. Leakages of drilling mud through the substrate to the surface (frac-outs), occurred and were contained. Biological clearance surveys were performed in the San Joaquin Valley (EMP 5.0 to 14.0) and on the Tejon Ranch (EMP 16.55 to 19.83) in accordance with Mitigation Measure B-W-1. Stream crossing #22 was completed. Rain limited construction activities on March 25, 26, and 27.
Table 1. Construction Activities for Segment 11
Activity |
Milepost (approximate) |
Pot-hole | 21.45 (no progress) |
Trench | 24.89 to 27.09 |
Bending | 24.94 to 27.15 |
Lower-In | 24.94 to 27.09 |
NDT (x-ray) | 24.98 to 26.41 |
Coating | 24.98 to 27.15 |
Conduit | 25.00 to 26.63 |
Backfill | 25.00 to 26.63 |
Directional Drill (Gorman Slide) | 25.94 |
Bore (Gorman Creek) - Completed | 32.40 |
Bore (Copco Road) - Completed | 32.71 |
Valve Site (Copco Road) - Completed | 32.81 |
1. Construction progress from March 2 through March 29.
Segment 2A (ANF) Construction: Construction within the ANF began on June 27, 1997 and was completed to Templin Highway on November 9, with the exception of some revegetation requirements. Implementation of ANF approved, repair activities was not conducted by PPSI during March due to excessive rainfall and access constraints. As requested by the ANF, on March 5 PPSI provided an explanation on the use of the unapproved fiber optic conduit that was installed on ANF lands. Remaining construction within the ANF, from the Templin Highway to the southern ANF boundary is scheduled to commence on May 11, 1998.
Segment 2B Construction: Segment 2B runs from the southern boundary of the ANF to Sylmar, paralleling I-5. Construction of Segment 2B commenced on November 6, 1997. Primary activities during the month of March are presented in Table 2. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 2B during March.
During March, traffic control was monitored daily by a Los Angeles County inspector. A one-day restriction-of-construction-hours test was enacted by the Los Angeles County inspector to determine if restricted times eased traffic congestion in the construction area. On March 7, a small PVC gas line was broken during trenching. The line was mis-marked and repairs were made immediately. The 8-hour hydrotest of the Santa Clara River pipe section was successfully completed during the first week of March. On March 10, a slurry truck sub-contracted to the contractor hit a utility pole when leaving the job site. All necessary notifications were made and no service was lost to customers. The valve at Santa Clara River (EMP 63.15) was installed during the third week of March. Rain limited construction activities on March 13 and 25.
Table 2. Construction Activities for Segment 2B1
Activity |
Milepost (approximate) |
Pot-hole | 59.14 to 63.33 |
Trench | 59.14 to 63.10 |
Lower-In | 59.30 to 62.66 |
Conduit | 59.31 to 62.35 |
Coating | 59.33 to 62.55 |
Backfill | 59.31 to 62.35 |
Paving | 59.41 to 62.28 |
Directional Drill (Castaic Creek) Completed |
61.12 |
Valve (Santa Clara River) - Completed | 63.15 |
Directional Drill (Santa Clara River) Completed | 64.02 |
1. Construction progress from March 2 to March 29.
Segment 3 Construction: Segment 3 runs from Sylmar to Dodger Stadium. Construction within the City of San Fernando, between Wolfskill and Jessie Streets (approximately 190 feet), began on September 30 and was completed on October 7. Construction of the remaining portions of Segment 3 (referred to as Segment 3B) commenced on October 28. On February 5, a mini-crew began work on Segment 3 in the vicinity of Los Feliz (referred to as Segment 3C). Primary activities during the month of March are presented in Table 3. Table 4 presents the non-compliance events that occurred on Segment 3 during March.
Segment 3B (north) - During March, bores were completed at Arvilla Avenue and Buena Vista Avenue. The directional drill at the Burbank Crossing commenced the first week of March, but the drilling equipment broke down on March 14. As a result, the drill-pipe became stuck. Crews worked the third and fourth weeks of March to free the drill-pipe. After freeing the drill-pipe, on March 26, crews began working 24-hour days, Monday through Sunday, to complete the directional drill (Variance Request #58 was approved to allow this construction - see Table 7). On March 26, heavy rains washed out a trench wall, leading to the collapse of part of one of the north-bound lanes of San Fernando Road (EMP 86.43 to 86.59).
Segment 3C (Los Feliz) - During March, boring operations were completed at Casitas Street (this bore is for Glendale Boulevard). Mainline construction activities continued at the StorItAll facility (EMP 93.14 to 93.75).
Rain limited construction activities on both Segments 3B and 3C on March 25, 26, and 27.
Table 3. Construction Activities for Segment 31
Segment |
Activity |
Milepost (approximate) |
Wolfskill to Jessie Streets | Cased bore | 78.52 (completed) |
Pipeline/conduit installation | 78.37 to 78.57 (completed) |
|
3B (north) |
Trench | 85.00 to 86.91, 88.84 to 88.86 |
Lowering-In | 84.97 to 86.90 |
|
NDT (x-ray) | 84.91 to 86.87 |
|
Coating | 84.86 to 86.87 |
|
Conduit | 84.86 to 86.72 |
|
Backfill | 84.83 to 86.60 |
|
Bore (Paxton Street) - Completed | 79.11 |
|
Bore (Pierce Avenue) - Completed | 79.93 |
|
Bore (Osborne Street) - Completed | 80.74 |
|
Bore (Branford Street) - Completed | 81.29 |
|
Valve - Completed | 81.48 |
|
Bore (Sheldon Street) - Completed | 82.11 |
|
Bore (Penrose Street) - Completed | 83.48 |
|
Bore (Sunland Avenue) - Completed | 84.09 |
|
Bore (Arvilla Avenue) - Completed | 85.02 |
|
Bore (Buena Vista Avenue) - Completed | 86.43 |
|
Directional Drill (Burbank Crossing) | 86.91 |
|
3C (Los Feliz) |
Trench | 93.35 to 93.78 |
Lower-In | 93.14 to 93.78 |
|
NDT (x-ray) | 93.14 to 93.78 |
|
Coating | 93.14 to 93.78 |
|
Conduit | 93.14 to 93.78 |
|
Backfill | 93.14 to 93.78 |
|
Valves (StorItAll) | 93.48 |
|
Bore (Glendale Blvd.) - Completed | 93.78 |
1. Construction progress from March 2 to March 29.
Table 4. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 31
Segment |
Mitigation Measure/PC |
Description/ Non-Compliance Level |
First Observed |
Corrected |
Status |
3B |
A.7.2 - Two minute idling restriction. | Subcontractor let lowboy idle more than 20 minutes - Level 2 | 3/2/98 |
Yes |
Acceptable |
1. Non-compliance reports issued from March 2 to March 29.
Segment 4 Construction: Segment 4 is being constructed by two separate crews. Construction of Segment 4A, from downtown Los Angeles to Watts Junction, began on October 20 and is being conducted from 8:00 pm to 5:30 am, Monday night through Friday night, to minimize traffic impacts. Segment 4B construction (day time),
from Watts Junction to the Chevron El Segundo Refinery, commenced on October 23. Primary activities during the month of March are presented in Table 5. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 4 during March.
Segment 4A - On March 4, a mismarked waterline was broken during excavation and repairs were promptly made. During the second and third weeks of March, repair of a broken and sand-clogged sewer line north of Fifth Street was completed. A Los Angeles City Inspector was on-site to monitor repair activities. On March 23, the business serviced by the repaired sewer line reported problems with their service. The contractor excavated the line and found another break. Repairs were made and service was restored. During March, the contractor began removing (rather than working around) unidentified lines. The contractor is notifying the City of Los Angeles when unidentified lines are encountered.
Segment 4B - On March 11, the boring subcontractor bored through a 14-inch marked waterline under Prairie Avenue. All appropriate notices were make and Hawthorne police rerouted traffic. Repairs were completed and Prairie Avenue was reopened to traffic about 3:30 a.m. on March 12. Directional drilling operation at Aviation Boulevard commenced on March 12. Approved open-cutting of Ramona Avenue (EMP 8.22) began during the third week of March (see Variance Request #45). On March 19, an unmarked sewer line was broken. All notifications were made and repairs were completed.
Rain limited construction activities on both Segments 4A and/or 4B on March 6, 9, 12, 13, 25, 26, and 27. On March 6, 26, and 27, Segment 4B bore pits were dewatered because of rain.
Table 5. Construction Activities for Segment 41
Segment |
Activity |
Milepost (approximate) |
4A |
Pot-hole | 100.73 to 102.10 |
Trench | 100.45 to 101.03 |
|
Lower-In | 100.17 to 100.92 |
|
NDT (x-ray) | 100.50 to 100.78 |
|
Coating | 100.17 to 100.79 |
|
Conduit | 100.16 to 100.58 |
|
Backfill | 100.17 to 100.64 |
|
4B |
Bore (Van Ness Avenue) | 5.92 |
Bore (Crenshaw Blvd.) | 6.46 |
|
Bore (Prairie Ave.) | 7.45 |
|
Bore (York Ave.) - backfilling | 7.52 |
|
Bore (Oxford Ave.) - backfilling | 7.58 |
|
Bore ( Menlo Ave.) - backfilling | 7.64 |
|
Bore (Freeman Ave.) - backfilling | 7.70 |
|
Bore (Cedar Ave.) | 7.76 |
|
Bore (Hawthorne Blvd.) - completed | 7.97 |
|
Bore (Grevillea Ave.) | 8.09 |
|
Bore (Inglewood Ave.) | 8.46 |
|
Bore (Eucalyptus Ave.) | 8.84 |
|
Bore (Aviation Blvd.) - unsuccessful | 9.61 |
|
Bore ( Douglas Blvd) - completed | 9.84 |
|
Directional Drill (Aviation Boulevard) | 9.61 |
|
Directional Drill (Douglas & Sepulveda) - Completed | 10.60 |
1. Construction progress from March 2 to March 29.
Segment 5 Construction: This segment involved 3 phases of operation, construction of Segment 5A (Dominguez Channel to Sepulveda Blvd. - MP 116.21 to 116.75) was completed on July 18 with the exception of a section of suspended pipe at Dominguez Channel (approximately 300 feet) and where skips between segments remain. Construction of Segment 5B (along Alameda Street south of Sepulveda Blvd. and south along Henry Ford to Anaheim Street - MP 116.75 to 118.83) was completed during September. Construction of Segment 5C (remainder of Segment 5 - MP 107.95 to 116.21) commenced on August 29. Primary activities during the month of March are presented in Table 6. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 5 during March.
During March, construction activities continued within the Alameda Corridor. On March 4, repairs were made by the owner of a fiber optic line that was damaged on February 28; service was not interrupted. On March 11, a cracked conduit for a utility line was discovered. All appropriate notifications were made and it was determined that the damage was not project-related. Rain limited construction activities on March 13, 25, 26, and 27.
Table 6 Construction Activities for Segment 51
Segment |
Activity |
Milepost (approximate) |
5A |
Completed except where skips between segments remain | 115.62 to 115.87 |
Dominguez Channel crossing - completed | 116.21 |
|
5B |
Completed except where skips between segments remain | 116.75 to 117.30 |
5C |
Pot-hole | 116.72 to 116.74 |
Trench | 115.68 to 115.92 |
|
Lower-In | 115.85 to 115.92 |
|
NDT (x-ray) | 115.62 to 115.92 |
|
Coating | 115.62 to 115.92 |
|
Conduit | 115.64 to 115.92 |
|
Backfill | 115.64 to 115.92 |
|
Bore (Del Amo Blvd.) - Completed | 113.98 |
|
Bore (Dominguez St.) - Completed | 114.50 |
|
Valve - Completed | 116.67 |
1. Construction progress from March 2 through March 29.
VARIANCES
During March, the following variances were approved/denied:
Table 7. Variance Approvals/Denials
Variance # |
Description |
Segment(s) Variance Applies |
Agency Decision |
42 |
Relocate Dominguez Channel block and check valves. | 5 |
Approved |
46 |
Allow for overnight storage of construction and excavated materials within the right-of-way behind residences, businesses, and schools. | 4B |
Approved |
48 |
Pipeline routing change to accommodate the Alameda Corridor Project. | 5 |
Approved |
53 |
Pipeline routing change along Lebec Road near I-5 crossing to accommodate bore pits. | 1 |
Approved |
55 |
Pipeline routing change to accommodate UPRR rail bed changes required by the approved Alameda Corridor Project alignment and improve access to Tosco Refinery. | 5 |
Approved |
56 |
Refueling within 0.25 miles of Dominguez Channel. | 4B |
Approved |
57 |
Sunday construction at Gorman Slide directional drill and 24-hour construction during pull back operation and emergencies (stuck drill). | 1 |
Approved |
58 |
24-hour construction, including Sunday construction, at the "Dog Pound" directional drill. | 3 |
Approved |
CONSTRUCTION YARDS/STAGING AREAS
During March, the following construction yards/staging areas were approved/denied:
Table 8. Construction Yard/Staging Area Approvals/Denials
Request # |
Construction Yard/Staging Area |
Applicable Segment(s) |
Agency Decision |
28 - Amendment |
45-day time extension for use of directional drill work space, City of Burbank (see Variance Request #58). | 3 |
Approved |
29 |
Extra work space for spoils storage between Normandie Ave. & Brighton Ave., City of Gardenia. | 4 |
Approved |
30 |
Two extra work space areas for spoils storage within SCE right-of-way, City of Hawthorne and El Segundo. | 4 |
Approved |
Compliance Documentation: PPSIs general plans and reports have been submitted and approved by the CPUC and ANF. Outstanding plan issues relate only to proposed revisions to approved plans (submitted by PPSI as variance requests, documented above) or updated plans. The remaining compliance issues that must be documented prior to or during construction on each segment relate to: (1) obtaining permits or landowner agreements from local jurisdictions and landowners, (2) completion of Traffic Control Plans and their approval by local jurisdictions, and (3) completion of the landowner, resident, and business notification processes. Because the pre-construction notification process has been completed by PPSI for all segments, future compliance activity will be limited to the three activities noted, and will be managed in the field by the Environmental Monitors.
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
Table 9 presents the current construction schedule for Pacific Pipeline.
Table 9 . Construction Segment Schedule
Segment |
Original Construction Schedule |
Revised Construction Start Date |
Estimated Construction Completion Date2 |
Segment 1 | July 1, 1997 |
Under construction since November 5, 1997 |
August 18, 1998 |
Segment 2A | June 2, 1997 |
June 27, 1997 |
Construction completed to Templin Highway November 9, 1997 |
Segment 2B | Mid-August, 1997 |
Under construction since November 6, 1997 |
August 11, 1998 |
Segment 2C1 | Originally scheduled for completion as part of Segment 2A |
May 15, 19983 |
August 4, 1998 |
Segment 3 | July 1, 1997 |
Under construction since September 30, 1997 |
June 17, 1998 |
Segment 4A1 | July 1, 1997 |
Under construction since October 20, 1997 |
August 14, 1998 |
Segment 4A2 | Originally scheduled for completion as part of Segment 4A1 |
April 1, 19982,4 |
July 17, 1998 |
Segment 4B | August 25, 1997 |
Under construction since October 23, 1997 |
June 15, 1998 |
Segment 5 | July 1, 1997 |
Under construction since July 14, 1997 |
May 28, 1998 |
Emidio Pump Station | October 1997 |
May 11, 19983 |
July 29, 1998 |
Grapevine Pump Station | March 26, 19982,4 |
July 29, 1998 |
|
Whitaker Pressure Relief Station | May 11, 19982 |
August 10, 1998 |
|
Lynwood Station | April 10, 19982,4 |
June 9, 1998 |
|
El Segundo | April 27, 19982,4 |
July 27, 1998 |
|
Wilmington | May 25, 19982 |
August 10, 1998 |
|
Ultramar | June 9, 19982 |
August 14, 1998 |
1. Templin Highway to ANF southern boundary.
2. Estimated construction start date per PPSI, March 9, 1998.
3. Estimated construction start date per PPSI, April 28, 1998.
4. Construction has not commenced as planned.
PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM
Due to the lack of public interest in visiting the MMCRP Walk-In Sites (that was in operation from July 1997 through February 1998), our Student Interns no longer staff the Valley Family Center site in San Fernando, and the Parents of Watts site in Watts on a scheduled basis. However, project documents and PPSI computers remain at the sites for public use, and MMCRP Student Interns available on an as-needed basis (i.e., by appointment). The project information hotline and project newsletter, provide information on how to make an appointment for the Walk-In Sites
During March, no members of the public made appointments to visit the MMCRP Walk-In sites in San Fernando and Watts.
The hotline message and project web site continue to be updated as the project progresses. During March, 1 message was left on the hotline, and the web site received 67 hits.
Environmental Justice: As of March, PPSI is in compliance with all construction-related aspects of the mitigation measures applicable to minority populations and low-income populations. These measures include: ML-1 (Community Outreach and Communications Program), ML-2 (Community Partnership Program), ML-3 (Local Community and MBE Hiring Program), and ML-6 (implementation of the BIMP).