STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PETE WILSON, Governor

PUBLIC UTILITES COMMISSION

505 VAN NESS AVENUE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-3298

March 13, 1998

Dean Shauers, Project Manager

Pacific Pipeline System, Inc.

12201 E. Arapahoe Road, C10

Englewood, CO 80112

RE: Variance Request #50 - Allow for open cut trenching (instead of boring) of Tuxford Street, City of Los Angeles (Segment 3).

Dear Mr. Shauers:

We have reviewed the above-referenced variance request and approve your request, based on the following factor:

• The Project Description in the EIS/SEIR stated that "major roadways, interstate highways, and freeways" would be bored. Open cut trenching at this location has been requested due to the number of existing and proposed utilities within Tuxford Street that Pacific Pipeline would need to be bored beneath. The right-of-way crossing at Tuxford Street contains eight existing utilities that traverse the crossing. Potholing of all existing utilities would need to be conducted to identify the exact location of the utilities, requiring lane closures and/or reroutes. In addition, the City of Los Angeles proposes to place a 20-foot storm drain within Tuxford Street where Pacific Pipeline crosses the roadway. Based on the drawings for this storm drain, the bore pit at Tuxford Street would have to be a minimum of 32 feet below the existing grade; excavations greater than 20 feet require structural engineering design. However, the City of Los Angeles has declined to provide authorization in writing for this variance request, but does not oppose the construction method.

• Tuxford Street is a five-lane roadway. To mitigate potential traffic impacts on Tuxford 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. Traffic would continue to pass in both directions with little delay using flagged controls. Trenching activities are anticipated to require five to nine working days. Given the temporary nature of the traffic impacts and that vehicle passage would be maintained, the potential impacts on traffic is mitigated to maximum extent possible.

• Air quality impacts would be somewhat reduced using trenching given the soil excavation required to create a 32 foot deep bore pit.

• The following measures shall be implemented:

- All applicable mitigation measures for the project shall be implemented at the subject location.

- Pipeline installation within Tuxford Street shall be completed within 10 working days.

- Overhead utilities, including traffic lights and railroad overcrossing bridge shall be protected from damage.

- Coordination with the Metropolitan Transit Authority shall be conducted prior to construction regarding the bus stop on eastbound Tuxford Street, east of San Fernando Road.

- Given recurring flooding of the subject area, monitor weather conditions and commence construction across Tuxford Street when there is no rain forecasted for 10 days. Prior to construction, submit for review and approval to Aspen Environmental Group the proposed plan for trench support, traffic reroute (steel plates will float if area floods), dewatering, etc., to be conducted if storm event does occur during trenching operations.

- Prior to construction, provide City approved copy of construction plans for trenching of Tuxford Street to the CPUC Lead Environmental Monitor.

- One week prior to the construction install signs on both side of the street in the vicinity of the trenching site, informing the motorist of the construction activities (the starting date and the projected length of time).

- 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,

Andrew Barnsdale

Project Manager

cc: R. Borden, ANF

H. Rastegar, Aspen

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