STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PETE WILSON,
Governor
September 23, 1998
RE: Variance Request #116A - Allow for open cut trenching (instead of boring) of College Street, immediately east of Alameda Street in the Chinatown District of downtown Los Angeles, (Segment 4A).
Dear Mr. Shauers:
We have reviewed the above-referenced variance request, and our decision of approval is based on the following factors:
• PPSI is requesting a variance from the Project Description in the EIS/SEIR concerning the boring of "major roadways, interstate highways, and freeways..." to mitigate traffic impacts. Open cut trenching at this location has been requested since the landowner of the property on which the bore would be located will not agree to lease the space to PPSI without placing future liabilities on PPSI that are unacceptable.
• College Street is a two-lane cross street of Alameda Street that terminates two blocks to the east of Alameda Street at the railroad yards (the Pacific Pipeline right-of-way crosses College Street between Alameda Street and the eastern terminus). Land uses along College Street, to the east of Alameda Street, are industrial (material storage yards and warehouses). Trenching is proposed to take place at night at which time traffic volumes on College Street are minimal. Based on observations by the CPUC Environmental Monitors, traffic along the roadway can be characterized as very light.
• To mitigate potential traffic impacts on College Street during trenching, PPSI proposes to use standard open trenching methods, with half the roadway closed during construction. This portion, when completed, would be plated and the second portion of the roadway would be trenched and plated. Local traffic would continue to pass in both directions with minor delays. Trenching activities are anticipated to require five to nine working days.
• Given the temporary nature of construction impacts on local traffic and that vehicle passage would be maintained, no significant traffic impacts are anticipated.
• The following measures shall be implemented:
- All applicable mitigation measures for the project shall be implemented at the subject location, including dust abatement and traffic control.
- As proposed, construction within College Street shall be conducted during nonpeak traffic hours (e.g., before 6:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.).
- Pipeline installation within College Street shall be completed within 10 working days.
- Prior to the commencement of construction within College Street, 72-hour advance written notice shall be provided to all businesses located with 500 feet of the subject crossing. A copy of the written notice shall be provided to the CPUC Environmental Monitor upon its issuance.
- Implementation of this variance in accordance with the provisions noted above shall be verified on a random basis by a CPUC/ANF Environmental Monitor.
Sincerely,
