STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Christine Chung, Associate Project Manager
Subject: Metro Purple Line Extension Section 1 (La Cienega Station) – Construction Update and Extension of N. Gale Drive Full Closure Attachments: 1. Project Schedule and Traffic Control Exhibit
2. Agenda Report Dated March 2, 2021
INTRODUCTION
This report provides details about the upcoming work in the La Cienega Station area and the extension of the N. Gale Dr. full closure until September 2022. Metro continues the construction of multiple underground appendage structures on the north side of Wilshire since March 2021, and is scheduled to switch the construction zone to the south side of Wilshire in November 2022.
Since January 2022, Gale Dr. north of Wilshire Blvd. has been fully closed as part of the approved traffic control plan. In lieu of opening northbound N. Gale in May 2022, per the original proposal, the full closure of N. Gale will remain in place until September 2022, to protect public safety and expedite the reopening of N. Gale one month earlier than the initially proposed date. DISCUSSION
On March 2, 2021, City Council approved the request by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to reduce Wilshire Blvd. between La Cienega Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd. to two lanes in each direction and a temporary full and partial closure of N. Gale at Wilshire Blvd. to accommodate the construction of multiple underground appendage structures for the La Cienega subway station between March 2021, and approximately the third quarter of 2023.
Appendage Construction Update
With a construction zone set-up on the north side of Wilshire, Metro progresses the installation of approximately 40% of the appendage structures on schedule. The street pavement, sidewalk and curb and gutter restoration are anticipated by November 2022. Once the temporary surface restoration on the north side of Wilshire is complete, K-rail
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Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
and fencing will be installed along the south side of Wilshire between S. Gale and La Cienega in November 2022. Wilshire Blvd. will reduce to two lanes in both the east and westbound directions with periodic daily closure of Gale Dr., south of Wilshire.
Extension of N. Gale Drive Full Closure
To facilitate the construction of north appendage structures at Gale Dr., north of Wilshire, N. Gale has been temporarily fully closed since January 2022. Originally, directional closure of N. Gale southbound for another seven months was proposed following the four months of the full closure of N. Gale. With a partial closure of N. Gale, intermittent full closure and long-term sidewalk closures are needed to facilitate the construction.
Per review of proposed traffic control plans, current roadway patterns and vehicular and pedestrian access, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) expressed several concerns with the proposed detours for pedestrians and inconsistent traffic configurations during the day and night times. Due to visibility limitations with the closure, there is a high risk of inattentive drivers driving in the wrong direction and pedestrians jaywalking. Several extensive mitigation measures were reviewed, such as adding a mid-block crosswalk and increasing the deployment of around-the-clock Traffic Control Officers. Still, the mitigations were insufficient to relieve the risk of accidents. Also, additional signage or temporary crosswalk would reduce available street parking for N. Gale residents.
To address the concerns, Metro recommended extending the current full closure of N. Gale. This extension will provide a consistent traffic pattern that the motorists have adapted to since January and allows full reopen of N. Gale for both directions by September 2022, one month earlier than the original proposal. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) assessed the full closure of N. Gale for up to 140 days and Metro will submit an amendment, in the form of a memo to file, to show no additional impacts with the extension of the full closure for up to 260 days. The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) has been contacted on this resolution and is reviewing this amendment.
Per Article XII of Section 1 - Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), City staff may approve a variance to the traffic control plans that City Council approved to protect public safety or accommodate business or resident needs that are immediately required. Based on the BHPD’s assessment and public outreach, the extension of the full closure of N. Gale will continue until no later than September 2022, to minimize the risk of car and pedestrian accidents and expedite the full reopening of N. Gale Dr. one month earlier than the original proposal. If the FTA requires N. Gale to be opened for traffic earlier than September, alternative mitigation measures will be reviewed to do so safely. Community Engagement The City and Metro had individual meetings to discuss the extension recommendation with the following adjacent businesses: 8383 Wilshire Blvd. and Saban Theatre. The representative of 8383 Wilshire Blvd. prefers barriers at N. Gale to be removed as early as possible and was in support of the full closure extension until September 2022. The Saban representative requested to partially open N. Gale for access to the N. Gale parking structure during high holidays, which is the last week of September. Metro will accommodate Saban’s request to open northbound N. Gale Dr. for easier access to the 8383 Wilshire Blvd parking garage for the high holidays while maintaining the west sidewalk closure to finalize surface restoration.
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Metro also published an updated construction notice regarding the proposed extension of the full closure until September 2022 and hand-delivered and electronically distributed the notice to local businesses and residents. Overall, staff received support and/or no objection to the extension of full closure from the residential and business communities.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this item. All staff and consultant costs associated with permitting and inspecting the temporary work will be reimbursed by Metro in accordance with the MOA.
RECOMMENDATION
This item is provided for information only for a construction update. The variance to the traffic control plan is approved to protect public safety and is consistent with the MOA.
City staff will continue to review work plans and traffic control plans as they are submitted. Outreach efforts will be ongoing throughout the work and staff will continue to monitor the construction sites to mitigate any community concerns. Any changes to what is described above will follow the process outlined in the MOA and if necessary, will return to City Council for authorization.
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
5/18/2022
1 May 24, 2022
1 METRO PURPLE LINE SECTION 1 (LA CIENEGA
STATION) – CONSTRUCTION UPDATE AND
EXTENSION OF N GALE DR. FULL CLOSURE
Attachment 1 – Project Schedule and
Traffic Control Exhibit
Section 1 – Appendage Schedule Update*
2 Section 1 La Cienega Station Appendages PLAN
START PLANEND J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D Phase 1 Northside 3/13/2021 10/31/2022 Phase 1A and 1B - Full Closure of N. Gale Dr. 1/4/2022 9/24/2022 Phase 2 Southside 11/1/2022 7/31/2023 2021 2022 2023 Dates subject to change
*Phase 1B work will continue with the full closure of N. Gale Dr. until September 2022. 5/18/2022
2 Appendages and Work Zone Footprints Overview
3 La Cienega Blvd N Hamilton Dr S Hamilton Dr N Gale Dr S Gale Dr S Tower Dr Appendages
Footprints
Phase 1
(Northside of
Wilshire Blvd.)
Work Zone
LC Yard Gale Yard
Saban
Phase 2
(Southside of
Wilshire Blvd.)
Work Zone
Phase 1: N Gale Dr. Open(Approx. 20 Months)
4 • Left turn restrictions from Wilshire Blvd. to Gale Dr. • Left turns restrictions from S. Tower Dr. onto Wilshire Blvd. • Sidewalk closure with detour
• No on-street parking on Wilshire Blvd., replacement parking at 8447 and 8350 Wilshire Blvd. • Saban loading shifted to S. Hamilton Dr.
March 2021 through October 2022*
SABAN
THEATER
*Phase 1 was implemented in March 2021.
Appendage
Work Zone
Sidewalk Closed -
5/18/2022
3 Phase 1A and 1B: Full Closure of N. Gale Dr.(Approx. 9 Months) 5 • Full closure of N. Gale Dr. at Wilshire Blvd. (Approx. 4 months) • Local access maintained via San Vicente Blvd.
• Left turn restrictions from Wilshire Blvd. to Gale Dr. • Left turns restrictions from S. Tower Dr. onto Wilshire Blvd. • Sidewalk closures with detour
• North/south crosswalk closed on west side of Gale Dr. with detour • No on-street parking on Wilshire Blvd., replacement parking at 8447 and 8350 Wilshire Blvd. • Saban loading shifted to S. Hamilton Dr.
January 2022 through September 2022*
SABAN
THEATER
*Phase 1A was implemented in January 2022. The full closure of N. Gale is extended until September 2022 to maintain consistent traffic configuration and protect
public safety. N. Gale will fully open by
September 2022, one month earlier than
the original proposal.
Phase 2: Southside of Wilshire (Approx. 9 Months)
6 • Daily closures of southbound S. Gale Dr.
• Local access maintained on S. Gale Dr.
• Left turn restrictions from Wilshire Blvd. to Hamilton Dr. and Gale Dr. • Sidewalk closure with detour
• North/south crosswalk closed on west side of S. Gale Dr. with detour • No on-street parking on Wilshire Blvd., replacement parking available at 8447 and 8350 Wilshire Blvd. • Renal Care driveway on Wilshire Blvd. closed for up to 3 months, alternate access at S. Gale Dr. • During scheduled events, no restrictions to loading zone in front of Saban Theater.
November 2022 through July 2023
SABAN
THEATER
Appendage -
Work Zone
���:::::Closure -
Appendage
Work Zone
Sidewalk &
Crosswalk Closure
Daily Lane Closure -
Attachment 2
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: March 2, 2021
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, City Engineer
Robert Welch, Engineering Manager
Subject: METRO PURPLE LINE SECTION 1 (LA CIENEGA STATION) – REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL LANE REDUCTIONS
ALONG WILSHIRE BLVD AND SIDE STREET CLOSURES TO
FACILITATE APPENDAGE STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION
Attachments: None
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council move to approve the request by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to reduce Wilshire Blvd. between La Cienega Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd. to two lanes in each direction and a temporary full and partial closure of N. Gale Dr. at Wilshire Blvd., to accommodate the construction of multiple underground appendage structures for the La Cienega subway station between March 2021, and approximately the third quarter of 2023, with recommended conditions. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with approving this request. All staff and consultant costs associated with permitting and inspecting the temporary work will be reimbursed by Metro in accordance with the MOA.
INTRODUCTION
Each subway station requires multiple appendage structures that provide vital functions of the station, such as emergency exits, utility rooms, ventilation shafts, entrance and exit structures for maintenance and more. As part of construction for Section 1 (La Cienega Station) of the Metro Purple Line Extension subway project, Metro anticipates starting appendage structure installation in March 2021.
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Meeting Date: March 2, 2021
As required by the MOA Article XII for a variation to minimum traffic requirements, Metro seeks City Council approval to reduce Wilshire Blvd. between La Cienega Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd. to two lanes in each direction for up to two and half years, similar to the traffic configuration used during pile installation and jet grouting, but with a shorter footprint. This proposal would also include temporary full and partial closures of N. Gale Dr. to facilitate construction of appendage structures. Metro proposes to start construction of the north appendages in March 2021, with work continuing until the fourth quarter of 2022. Metro would then move work to the south appendages until the third quarter of 2023. DISCUSSION
Within the City’s right-of-way, multiple appendage structures need to be constructed that would extend within portions of the north and south sidewalks of Wilshire Blvd. between La Cienega Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd. The appendages are designed to connect from the side of station walls to the surface of sidewalks. The appendages are necessary to facilitate egress during an operational emergency as well as to provide for ventilation.
Proposed Work and Schedule
In order for Metro to construct these appendages, a 24-hour per day traffic set up replicating the piling operation will need to be implemented. Similar to piling, Metro’s first phase of work will require the setup of k-rail and fencing along the north side of Wilshire Blvd., resulting in Wilshire Blvd. being reduced to two lanes of traffic both in the east and west bound directions between San Vicente and N. Hamilton. This phase could last for up to 20 months. During this first phase, there will be a need to have a full closure of Gale Dr., north of Wilshire, for up to four months followed by a directional closure of N. Gale southbound for another seven months. Periodic and long-term sidewalk closures will be needed to facilitate the construction.
After completing the work on the north side of Wilshire, the construction zone will be shifted to the south side of Wilshire between S. Gale and La Cienega. K-rail and fencing will be installed resulting in Wilshire being reduced to two lanes in both the east and westbound directions. Periodic daily closures of Gale Dr., south of Wilshire, will be needed to facilitate portions of the work. This phase of work is anticipated to take up to nine months.
Metro’s current schedule shows: Phase 1 - March 2021 to October 2022 (work zone on north side of Wilshire) Phase 2 - November 2022 to July 2023 (work zone on south side of Wilshire) The work activities involved during these phases of construction primarily include:
sawcutting, sidewalk and pavement removal, utility maintenance, excavation up to 50 feet, hauling, shoring installation, appendage structure installation (concrete pour and mechanical, electrical and plumbing connections as needed), backfill, removal of shoring and surface restoration.
These work activity hours will follow those requirements outlined in the MOA for Street Restoration behind concrete barriers. As outlined in Article XIII, work days will be seven days a week with work hours of 7am to 8pm with breakdown, cleanup and other quiet activities to occur between 8pm and 10pm.
Meeting Date: March 2, 2021
Staff will be discussing this item with the Metro ad hoc, made up of Mayor Friedman and Councilmember Bosse, on March 1, 2021. Staff will provide an update on this meeting during the presentation at City Council on March 2, 2021.
Conditions
Understanding the impacts of the proposed roadway closures on the community, City staff and Metro staff met to discuss conditions of the permit that would mitigate impacts to the community and provide a better environment once the project is complete. These mitigation measures are above and beyond the standard MOA identified mitigations and are identified as other urban design and/or mitigations needed to address community concerns per the MOA. Below is a list of conditions that Metro will incorporate into their project as part of this approval: Enhanced landscape improvements for the future median island at San Vicente Blvd. and Wilshire Blvd. Traffic video detection at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and Gale Dr. Lengthening of street improvement limits along Wilshire Blvd. from the west station box limit (La Cienega Blvd.) to Stanley Dr., and from the east station box limit (Tower Dr.) to the City right-of-way (ROW) limit at San Vicente Blvd. Replacement of sewer laterals within the station box area to the ROW limit. Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) to be deployed as determined by the Police Department to assist the free flow of traffic. Installation of public information graphics and wayfinding signs around the k-rail enclosures and sidewalk barriers and signed detour routes to promote local businesses impacted by the construction and orient pedestrians to businesses and parking areas. Along with meeting all MOA-required mitigation measures, Metro is committed to implement the above measures as part of City Council approval. The Independent Compliance Monitor (ICM) will be onsite during work to oversee construction activities to verify compliance with the MOA and permit conditions. Separately, Metro and the City have agreed to the use of violation funds for asphalt rehabilitation along the side streets (Hamilton, Gale, Tower). COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The City and Metro had individual meetings to discuss the work with the following adjacent businesses and property owners: 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Lamborghini Beverly Hills, 8484 Wilshire Blvd., Saban Theatre, 8400 Wilshire Blvd., 8420 Wilshire Blvd. and 8370 Wilshire Blvd.
For the appendage work on the north side of Wilshire Blvd. (Phase 1), the representative of 8383 Wilshire Blvd. requested installing graphics on the k-rail fencing and signage to promote first floor tenants. Staff is working directly with the representative of 8383 Wilshire Blvd. to create public information graphics to be installed on the k-rail and fence enclosures as agreed to by Metro. The representative of 8370 Wilshire Blvd. expressed concerns regarding left turn restrictions at Gale Drive from westbound Wilshire Blvd.
The Lamborghini Beverly Hills representatives expressed concern with potential left turn restrictions from Wilshire Blvd. and also onto La Cienega. Staff is coordinating with the stakeholders to provide detour maps that can be accessed on their websites and emailed to clients before their arrival. As committed to by Metro, a wayfinding signage plan is being developed along with advanced signage to direct visitors to adjacent businesses.
Meeting Date: March 2, 2021
For the appendage work on the south side of Wilshire Blvd. (Phase 2), the representative of 8484 Wilshire did not express any concerns with the proposed work.
Metro and its contractor met with the Saban to coordinate this construction activity.
Metro will not place k-rail enclosures in front of the Saban Theatre and will continue to regularly coordinate with Saban to avoid conflicts with scheduled events at the theatre.
Also, Metro will continue to coordinate with the U.S. Renal Center (8420 Wilshire Blvd.) and future tenants at 8400 Wilshire Blvd. to identify and maintain access to their respective businesses. The representative of 8400 Wilshire expressed concern with the long-term sidewalk closures immediately outside of his property and potential noise and dust impacts due to the proximity of the work area to this building. Per discussion with the representative of 8400 Wilshire Blvd., Metro will install public information graphics on the k-rail and fence enclosures during Phase 2 as well and coordinate detour maps.
Prior to the start of Phase 2, additional outreach will be conducted to all adjacent stakeholders to address concerns.
The City and Metro presented and discussed the proposed work to the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce Board members during their board meeting on February 23, 2021.
In addition to the meeting discussed above, Metro shared the proposed work plan and traffic configuration during the February Community Meeting. Metro published a detailed construction notice that was hand-delivered and electronically distributed to local businesses and residents. The City and Metro also updated the project websites with the proposed phases of work. Near the start of appendage work, GPS applications will properly reflect the lane and turn restrictions and full and directional street closures.
Before implementing the full and directional closures, Metro will distribute an updated public notice with additional closure details and detour routes for pedestrians and drivers.
Outreach efforts will be ongoing through the duration of the work. Staff will continue to monitor phone, email and social media to mitigate any community concerns.
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By