The City of Los Angeles only noticed Silver Strand News about this a couple of days ago, so this is written in haste in order to get the word out. More in depth information will follow.
Above is the official DPW noticing of the meeting at Burton Chace Park
The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works proposed construction project to build a sewer relief line, see above, will drastically impact residences on either side of Via Marina in terms of traffic, as well as Playa del Rey. Further, it will coincide with the County’s projected plans to allow developers to construct massive apartment complexes, possibly a hotel and the “renovation” of Mariner’s Village. The AMLI apartment complex on Via Marina across from the Shores is already underway. While construction of the pipeline is estimated to end in three years, other more lasting impacts must be considered.
The pipeline will effect the landscaping of the Silver Strand Triangle and the median strip along Via Marina, both of which have mature trees. The Silver Strand Triangle contains a majestic tree which marks the gateway to the residences on either side of Via Dolce. The Triangle landscaping is maintained by the Silver Strand Marina Homeowners Association. In the case of Via Marina, the tree-lined median is a signature of a street which has officially been declared a scenic drive. Via Marina below Marquesas Way is the jurisdictional dividing line between the City of Los Angeles on the west and the County of Los Angeles on the east. The project’s route is now planned on to begin at Hurricane Street on the Venice Peninsula, proceeding across the northernmost end of the Ballona Lagoon, where the pumping station is located, then across the grand canal to Marquesas Way, and then south to the end of Via Marina at the channel. Construction would begin in November of 2015. It is expected to take 3 years to complete at an estimated cost of 60 million dollars.
The engineering plan is to combine “microtunnelling” at the northern end of Via Marina with open trench tunneling at the southern end. Microtunnelling involves the application of considerable boring force and an increase in ground friction as it proceeds.
Make your voice heard by attending the meeting.
Background: The Venice Dual Force Main Pumping Plant Pipeline, maintained by the City of Los Angeles, serves as a link in the western portion of the Los Angeles sewer system including Venice (City) and Marina del Rey (County). The pipeline was built in 1958 under the beach and cannot be shut down for inspection or maintenance. As of now, it can only handle 60% of the pumping plant’s peak capacity. The Department of Engineering has stated the need for a relief pipe line to allow for maintenance and inspection and to prevent possible overflow in the Ballona Lagoon and onto the streets near our homes in the Silver Strand. This came within minutes of happening in 2004-5. After considering two other alternatives 1) placing it along side the existing pipe under the beach, or 2) placing it under Pacific Ave on the Venice Peninsula, the City Council approved the proposal to place the pipeline under Via Marina from the pumping plant at the northern end of Ballona Lagoon, down Via Marina, across the Channel and terminating at the Hyperion Treatment Plant. The County and the City agreed that the relief pipeline must be built. They disagreed on where. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors filed suit against the City to prevent the relief pipe being built under Via Marina. The County lost in court and the line is now scheduled to go down Via Marina.
The Silver Strand News 