Much to the dismay of local residents and thousands of unknowing commuters, the city Department of Transportation, Caltrans and Councilman Bill Rosendahl's office forgot to tell anyone that one of the three lanes on Sepulveda Boulevard near the tunnel in Sepulveda Pass will be closed today and for the next eight weeks for construction.
On Friday, activists learned the work involves Milken Middle School and the need to build a debris basin and fence to keep rocks from falling onto the roadway. Work will begin at 6:30 am and end at 3:30 p.m. and require blocking a lane near the tunnel, making life that much harder for the 40,000 daily trips through the area.
A local resident reported: "Notice was not given to any community in the area, as far as we
can determine.. Encino, Roscomare, Mountaingate, Bel Air Crest, Bel Air
Skycrest, Bel Air Knolls...all did not receive notice. I just found out
today from a friend who was sent an e-mail."
Inquiries led to Rosendahl's and Jack Weiss' council offices and the word was Norman Kulla, CD11 Chief Deputy, was caught by surprise with the news recently but signed off on DOT's request to approve the project, suggesting it was a last-minute deal and someone had the clout to get it rushed through without questions being asked or the public being told.
The community got in an uproar Friday when a sign was spotted on the Sherman Oaks side of the pass saying there would be construction from Sept. 8, 2008 - Oct. 31, 2008. That prompted insertion of this agenda item into the previously published agenda for the 8:15 a.m. Tuesday Traffic Committee meeting at the West L.A. police station: "Presentation and Discussion--Sepulveda Bl. lane closure/Sepulveda Pass -- Speaker TB"
Inquiries led to Rosendahl's and Jack Weiss' council offices and the word was Norman Kulla, CD11 Chief Deputy, was caught by surprise with the news recently but signed off on DOT's request to approve the project, suggesting it was a last-minute deal and someone had the clout to get it rushed through without questions being asked or the public being told.
The community got in an uproar Friday when a sign was spotted on the Sherman Oaks side of the pass saying there would be construction from Sept. 8, 2008 - Oct. 31, 2008. That prompted insertion of this agenda item into the previously published agenda for the 8:15 a.m. Tuesday Traffic Committee meeting at the West L.A. police station: "Presentation and Discussion--Sepulveda Bl. lane closure/Sepulveda Pass -- Speaker TB"
Ron Kaye
These people in power are going to do pretty much what they want, when they want, and the public be damned. The mayor be damned, too, since he's all talk and no action on traffic jams.
The only prescription for road-weary L.A.ians is to take an extra dose of their artery unclogging medication.
This is typical, because the work that would have caused debris to fall on Sepulveda from the Milken site has been completed. They already did the major excavation and site work last Winter and Spring. It seems like that is when any debris would find it's way to Sepulveda. They even put up fences at the bottom of that hillside last Winter to keep debris off Sepulveda when they where doing the major (and it was major) excavation and site work. Unless there is a problem with the site and they are having to shore up the hillside, something doesn't add up here. Also, next summer, major work will begin on Sepulveda between the tunnel and Wilshire to widen the road for turn lanes and a sorely needed bike lane. I myself am planning for Sepulveda to be taken off the table as a driving option for the next 2 years (or more).
Norman Kulla from CD 11 works tirelessly to bring community members and city officials together to work out their differences in peace and harmony. His advice and guidance is invaluable to residents and I strongly feel that the representation here is unfair and does not accurately reflect Mr. Kulla's track record.
Time and again Mr. Kulla has stayed way past office hours to help resolve issues, listening patiently to all sides of the party.
Mr. Kulla is a man of integrity and as a resident of District 11, I am extremely grateful for all his hard work.
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