Big Blue Bus Temporary Detour On Marquez Makes Progress

The temporary detour of Big Blue Buses on Marquez Avenue to their original route on Sunset Boulevard has taken another step forward.

Marquez Avenue will be resurfaced and re-striped, including the west intersection/island during the school vacation period in December. As a result, temporary parking restrictions and select street closures will be required while this work is undertaken.

The Marquez Knolls Property Owners Association recently coordinated a planning meeting, which included representatives from the three schools on Marquez Avenue; Councilman Mike Bonin’s office; the LA Bureau of Street Services, and MKPOA representatives.  Representatives from the business district were also invited.  The discussions focused on the starting date of the project, previously targeted for mid October.

Michaela Carmichael, representing Marquez Elementary Charter School, prepared the following report from the planning meeting:

AGREEMENT:

1. A real solution that is deliverable to parents to get the BBB off Marquez Avenue will be achieved.

2. Road works will be carried out during the two weeks of school vacation December/January (Dec. 21-Jan.5). 

3. The work will require five working days; three to prepare and grind up the old asphalt and transport away, two days to lay new asphalt.  [Striping will follow shortly]

4. It is permitted to drive on the ground up roads prior to laying the asphalt.

5. The new roads are available to use on the day of completion of laying new asphalt. 

6. It is most cost effective and efficient for the project to be done without interruptions in one sitting, and with no overtime.

Why not sooner?

HEALTH & SAFETY issues for the school children should be avoided.

1. Noise pollution from the work (constant all day long 7a.m. – 4 p.m.).

2. Fumes and dust from taking up the asphalt and laying new asphalt. Breathing air quality adversely affected. When the neighbor’s roof caught fire recently on Marquez Avenue, there were complaints then about fumes that day, and headaches reported.  

3. Normal construction working day for the road team is 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. would be head to head with the activity of all three schools in the area and should be avoided.

TRAFFIC and PARKING congestion

1. Parking restrictions will exist for the duration of the project. (How will parents park and walk if the construction is done during school days?).

2. Minimize local traffic congestion by removing the school traffic.

3. The lack of credible car pool valet alternatives (how on earth is pick up from Santa Ynez even possibly meant to work? How will you escort children around the external boundary at drop off?).  

4. Parking Enforcement presence at drop off and pick up was discussed to guide parents to follow road signs and diversions - but not necessary if not during school term time.

COST

1.  Councilman Bonin's office stressed that overtime was not available for the project and that it must be completed on normal working days.

2. The money will still be available in December to spend on the project. 

3. Working 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (out of school hours) was discussed but would drag project longer, and increase cost overall.

COMMUNICATION

1. Plenty of time available to educate people about alternative routes (Akron - off the hill, Livorno - off Sunset, below the school). 

2. DOT (?) Message Boards will be used in few days run up to event and during for diversions.  

3. MKPOA will circulate emails to members, get coverage in Pali Post. 

4. Schools can email and send handouts to parents. 

We know that the Big Blue Bus is a contentious issue and there is great pressure to hurry up to get it back on to Sunset.  

Debbie Dyner Harris from Councilman Bonin's office stated that LAUSD School board member Steve Zimmer requested to get the BBB off Marquez ASAP. Every attempt at negotiating the many factors was made to see if we could get the work done in October, but it was felt, as per above, that the effects on residents, businesses, students and faculty of three schools versus the ease of completing the project when school is out in December was worth the delay.