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Coldwater Canyon to Close March 23-April 25 for Water Trunk Line Replacement

Coldwater Canyon to Close March 23-April 25
for Water Trunk Line Replacement

LADWP to Replace 99-Year Old Pipe, Requiring Full Use of Street for Construction
Limited through Traffic Reduced to Evening, Overnight Hours and Sundays
LOS ANGELES (March 4, 2013) – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will be replacing a portion of the City Trunk Line, a 60-inch diameter pipeline that runs along Coldwater Canyon Avenue between Mulholland Drive and Ventura Boulevard, necessitating closure of the major Valley to Westside pass from March 23-April 25 to allow the full use of the street for construction equipment and crews.  The LADWP is replacing the 99-year old pipe in sections with new welded steel pipe as part of an ongoing citywide upgrade to major pipelines that cross the city to ensure reliable service and to comply with federal water quality regulations.

Starting March 9th, no left turns will be allowed onto Ventura Blvd from Coldwater Canyon north and south bound as crews prepare for construction.

Closures begin Saturday, March 23, and are scheduled to continue through Thursday, April 25. The hours of closure are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  After 7 p.m. each night (6 p.m. on Saturdays), and all day Sunday, one lane in each direction will be open for traffic. 

“This is a vitally important project to ensure the continued safety and reliability of our drinking water,” LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. “I know how difficult it will be to drive through the area during this time, which is why I would urge all of us to find alternate routes during construction. While crews are working to repair this pipeline, my office will ensure that residents, businesses, schools and drivers are kept informed about this project and we will work with all city departments to ensure this is done as safely and efficiently as possible. I thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation.”

“This is an important improvement, but it poses an impact and a challenge. LADWP needs to get this job done as quickly and safely as possible,” added LA City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

“Coldwater Canyon Avenue is one of our key trans-mountain routes, and there’s no question its month-long daytime closure will be a hardship to residents and commuters. But the water trunk-line replacement work’s got to be done, and I’m confident that people will cooperate with patience and understanding, with a final result that we can all be proud of,” said LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

In 2009, the City Trunk Line ruptured at Coldwater Canyon and Ventura Boulevard, causing flooding of area residents and businesses. Cost of repairs was over $700,000 and claims totaled nearly $8 million. Water loss was estimated at four million gallons.

Details of the closure were discussed earlier today at a morning press conference near the site of the 2009 rupture with Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who represents the area, joined by Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

A representative from the City Department of Transportation also discussed traffic mitigation plans that include electronic signage, traffic control officers, new striping to guide motorists through the area. 

Motorists are urged to avoid the area during the closure and take alternate routes, including: Laurel Canyon Blvd.; Beverly Glen Blvd., Sepulveda Blvd., Cahuenga Blvd./Highland Avenue and Interstate 405. During peak commuting hours, Coldwater Canyon carries approximately 1,300 vehicles per hour.

The LADWP has worked closely with Councilmember Krekorian and his staff, as well as community groups and others, to ensure that their concerns and issues are addressed to the extent possible.

Special access permits will be issued to area residents and schools, including Harvard-Westlake, and other facilities along Coldwater between Mulholland Drive and Ventura Boulevard.  The actual construction zone is from Dickens Street to Hacienda Drive, where most of the work will occur.

“This project poses particular challenges – on an engineering level and for how to mitigate impacts for those who live, work or travel through this area of the City,” said James B. McDaniel, Senior Assistant General Manager, Water System. “The quality and reliability of your water service is our priority at the LADWP, and we are going to work as quickly and safely as possible to get this job done. We appreciate your understanding and patience.”

For information about the closure, please visit www.ladwp.com.  To receive e-mail updates on construction progress during the closure, please visit LADWP’s online newsroom and sign-up to receive updates.  Select “City Trunk Line – Coldwater Canyon Construction” from the dropdown menu, or follow @LADWP on Twitter.

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