CITY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

City Sewers

Living with construction

The City of Los Angeles uses public outreach programs and construction related procedures to minimize the impacts of sewer construction on neighbors who live or work close to City projects. Each project has a specifically designed program and a set of procedures, but many of the elements described below are used in most projects.

Construction related procedures

The City works with its construction contractors to keep project disturbances low and project safety high. Some procedures that are commonly used include:

• Noise – sound walls, sound blankets, and low noise generating equipment are used to muffle noise from work areas; noise must not exceed specified levels
• Work schedules – most work takes place during hours when people are not sleeping; work is efficiently scheduled so that the project can be finished in the minimum time possible
• Dirt and dust – daily street sweeping and water spreading; cleaning services when necessary; car wash services when necessary
• General livability – on site assistance is provided to help neighbors and local services work around construction (parking, garbage services, etc)
• Parking and traffic flow – safe and adequate pedestrian and vehicle access is maintained at all times to residences and businesses
• Safety – enclosures are placed around all excavation; crossing guards are provided at impacted intersections

Public outreach

The City strives to establish a high level of communications with project neighbors to keep them informed before and during construction.

• Neighborhood meetings – prior to and during work to introduce and inform residents of plans and progress; provide forum for questions and feedback
• In-person meetings – as needed, to respond to hotline calls and resolve issues
• Newsletters – distribute to the project community to illustrate progress, respond to questions and issues, and inform readers about upcoming milestones. In multiple languages as appropriate
• Outreach to churches, community centers and schools –  identify and coordinate all construction and community activities that may take place at the same time (e.g., parking, children walking to school, etc.); give presentations and meetings with churches in vicinity; meet and present to block clubs and other residential associations
• 24-hour hotline –  for neighbors to call regarding construction issues
• Outreach to Businesses – conduct individual meetings with businesses and/or business associations in the project area to coordinate all activities that may be impacted by long-term construction (e.g., parking, traffic, deliveries, etc.)

Other communication tools for project neighbors

• Web page information
• Active media outreach campaign when appropriate
• Newsletters that serve the community (e.g., church bulletins)
• Project signs with hotline number and other key project information (e.g., start and end dates)