The Facts About Fire Debris Removal Trucks
Late January LADOT advised BHA that they were recommending a haul route for fire debris removal trucks to use PCH to the 10 to the 405. This route was in response to the community's concerns about hundreds of trucks using Sunset Boulevard to get to the 405 and the impact on students at the seven schools who reside next to Sunset Boulevard (Paul Revere Middle School, Brentwood School East and West, Sunshine Preschool, Wilshire Boulevard Preschool, St. Martin of Tours School, and Archer School) as well as the inevitable traffic impacts. The Army Corps of Engineers accepted this route and included it in its instructions for subcontractors hired by the Corps. Almost immediately, our members began reporting trucks on Sunset Boulevard. The last three weeks have seen a steady stream of trucks on Sunset Boulevard from early in the morning until 5:00pm or later.
Our Fears Realized
At first we assumed it was the private contractors disregarding the haul route. But we learned last week that in fact almost ALL trucks were disregarding the route and using Sunset Boulevard. The effect has been what we feared--extreme gridlock! Without enforcement by the City or the Army Corps of Engineers, the fire debris removal trucks have placed a burden on our community that has become dangerous. Residents are unable in some instances to even get out of their driveways and when they get to Sunset they are unable to cross it or turn onto it to access the freeway. With this gridlock emergency vehicles will be unable to access our neighborhoods. The only solution to enforce the route to PCH and the 10 freeway is to physically block access to eastbound Sunset by the fire debris removal trucks leaving the Palisades recovery area. While BHA will continue to work with the Mayor's office and Councilwoman's office to remedy this situation, they need to hear directly from you as well. Based on the number of emails BHA receives on this topic, we know this is the number one issue for our members.
What You Can Do
Now is the time for Mayor Bass and the Army Corps of Engineers to understand the significant impact of this problem on our neighborhood and to take action.
1. Please write Mayor Bass and ask her to enforce adherence to the LADOT route by creating a Sunset eastbound check point that prohibits fire debris removal trucks from accessing the 405 freeway via Sunset. (please copy BHA on your email. Extra points for photographs and personal stories)
2. The Army Corps of Engineers needs to know their subcontractors are not following instructions. If you see a truck with a placard like the one in the photo above, call the Army Corps of Engineers hotline 213-308-8305 and provide the following information (the top two items are on the placard)
- Subcontractor name
- Truck Number and
- License Number/ Plate type
