Posts Tagged ‘Sullivan Canyon’

Sullivan Canyon Closure Update: 6/24/2019 – 8/2/2019

Wednesday, June 19th, 2019

Following our previous report we have received an updated from SoCalGas. Here are the new details:

 

Sullivan Canyon Temporary Closure:

6/24/2019 – 8/2/2019 Pipeline Exposure Remediation

-South side (Queensferry Entrance) will be open during construction

-The location of the exposure is on the map (approx. middle of the canyon)

-Project site will NOT allow hikers, bikers, and runners to pass.

-The maintenance crew will be using the North Entrance to access the site.

-Between the North Entrance and the project site, the canyon will be inaccessible. However, from the South Side (Queensferry Road) everyone will be able to access the canyon until the project site.

Sullivan Canyon to Close for Maintenance 6/3 – 7/12

Thursday, May 16th, 2019

SoCal GasSoCalGas has two upcoming projects in Sullivan Canyon. This trail is popular for mountain bikers, and we want the public to be aware that upcoming maintenance projects will impact public use of the trail.

The popular Sullivan Canyon trail is on land owned by SoCalGas. The old road along the canyon bottom is a service road for the gas company to access gas transmission pipelines that run underground through Sullivan Canyon to cross the Santa Monica Mountains.  SoCalGas is gracious enough to allow public use of their land and the trail through it, except when they need work on the roadbed, trail or pipeline. This is a temporary closure, and we ask that all trail users respect it.

5/17/2019 – 5/31/2019 Sullivan Canyon Open during Brush clearance (watch for maintenance workers): Crews will clear vegetation along the canyon from the Queensferry entrance to Mullholland. They will clear the vegetation along the roadway toward the bottom of the canyon. Their focus will be on the North Side of the roadway. Please use caution as you pass construction equipment, and we recommend keeping dogs on a leash so they are not harmed by equipment as well.

  • The canyon will be fully open.
  • Minor impact to walkers, bikers, runners, etc. They will need to slow down for the landscape crews.
  • We will have signs up at both ends of the work area warning of the work taking place.
  • LMI (Landscape Maintenance Inc), our contractor, will be accessing the canyon from Queensferry entrance on the South side.

6/3/2019 – 7/12/2019 Sullivan Canyon Closed for Pipeline Exposure Remediation:  Heavy equipment will be brought in and staged on site. Signs will be placed at each end of the closed area. 

  • -South side (Queensferry Entrance) will be open during construction
  • -The location of the exposure is on the map (approx. middle of the canyon)
  • -Project site will NOT allow walkers, bikers, and runners to pass.
  • -Crew will be using the North Entrance to access the site.
  • -Between the North Entrance and the project site, the canyon will be inaccessible. However, from the South Side (Queensferry Road) everyone will be able to access the canyon up to the work area.

If there are any changes to the schedule, we’ll post them here and on our social media. For the latest information, you can contact SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager, Mike Harriel at 213 244-4633.

Sullivan Canyon Closure Update August 11

Monday, August 11th, 2014

From SoCal Gas:

Sullivan Canyon will be closed to visitors Tuesday August 12th for a Hydro-Static Pressure test of the natural gas transmission pipelines. Please schedule your visit accordingly.

This closure if for safety reasons so please do not access the canyon from any of the side trails. The canyon will be open again on Wednesday provided there are no problems with the test. Please use caution as you pass construction equipment, and we recommend keeping dogs on a leash so they are not harmed by equipment as well.

For information, contact:

Mike Harriel

Public Affairs Manager

Regional Public Affairs

555 W. 5th St.

Los Angeles, Ca. 90013

Office: 213 244-4633

Sullivan Canyon Work Update, July 3

Thursday, July 3rd, 2014

The latest news from Mike Harriel of So Cal Gas regarding construction as they move closer to the mandated test on its pipelines in Sullivan Canyon.

Beginning July 8th

·         We will conduct a bird survey to determine if any nesting birds are in the area of our work. If there are, the project will be delayed.

·         If all is well with the nesting birds, we will work with a certified arborist to trim trees that could sustain damaged by construction equipment. The trimming will occur at the direction of the arborist and only the minimum necessary.

·         An active beehive will have to be removed for the safety of our employees and users of the canyon.

 Beginning July 14th

·         Construction mobilization will occur. You will notice the moving in of water tanks and other construction equipment. Tanks and equipment will be staged away from the trail. All soil will be returned to the excavation it is removed from.

·         A fire prevention plan is in effect to protect the canyon.

 As mentioned previously, the canyon trail will remain open. Signs will provide advance notice when the canyon is closed for hydro testing, which will occur over the course of one day. Signs will also be posted at the drop-in trails. For safety reasons, we don’t want any members of the public dropping in to the canyon during the test, so please abide by the posted closing.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mike Harriel

Public Affairs Manager

Office: 213 244-4633

More Work Scheduled for Sullivan Canyon in June

Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

Since 1960, Southern California Gas Company (“SoCaIGas”) has owned much of the land that comprises Sullivan Canyon (more than 4 miles in length).  This property is used as a corridor for two transmission pipelines that provide Los Angeles residents with a safe and reliable supply of natural gas.  Periodically, SoCalGas must perform maintenance on these pipelines. The purpose of this letter is to provide information on pipeline maintenance and repair work that will occur in the coming weeks.

SoCalGas will conduct a hydrostatic pressure test on a segment of one of our natural gas transmission pipelines in Sullivan Canyon.  Hydrostatic pressure testing is a process that uses water to exert pressure on a pipeline at levels greater than its usual operating pressure to assess its soundness, often referred to as its integrity.

This test involves digging around the underground pipeline and safely venting natural gas from the pipeline. We will then fill the pipeline with water, and increase the pressure to a level that is higher than the pipeline’s normal operating pressure.  If the pipe holds the pressure without any leaks, it will be put back in service. If the pipeline leaks during the test, SoCalGas will repair the pipeline and retest it, or replace it with new, pre-tested pipeline.

What to expect

The construction work will take place at several locations starting west of the Sullivan Canyon trailhead at the end of Queensferry Road and about a quarter-mile northwest of the trailhead.  Work will begin in June 2014, and last about four to six weeks, although weather and other factors affecting safe working conditions could change the schedule. Normal work days will be Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., however, some activities may extend the hours.

Test Start Location:

At Sullivan Canyon Trailhead at Queensferry Road, a test-start location will be staged just west of the trail with an excavation site, water tanks, and other equipment. This area will be closed to the public.

Test End Location:

About a quarter-mile northwest of the trailhead, a test-end location with excavation site and support equipment will be staged alongside the trail.  This area will also be closed to the public.

Hikers, bikers, and others traversing the trail should use caution while passing by both test site locations. For safety reasons, Sullivan Canyon Trail will not be accessible by the public on the actual test day for the duration of the test. Check local signage with updates on construction activity.

The local community may notice truck traffic bringing test equipment and water tanks to the test sites and then removing them. Nearby residents may hear some work-related noise.

Your gas service should continue without interruption. If that changes, a SoCalGas representative will contact you.

The odor of natural gas

At times, you may smell the odor of natural gas and hear a loud, steady noise as we vent natural gas from the pipeline using safe and common techniques. Although this is normal when crews are working, we encourage anyone who has concerns about the smell of gas to call us from a safe location at 1-800-427-2200. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We apologize for any inconvenience while we’re performing this test and appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Mike Harriel

Public Affairs Manager – Southern California Gas Company

Tel: (213) 244-4633 

Sullivan Canyon Officially Re-opens

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

image001By Mike Harriel, Southern California Gas Company

So Cal Gas has completed mandated maintenance work on the pipelines in Sullivan Canyon. The canyon is now open for use.

As I have mentioned before. There is another maintenance project occurring in the canyon in early May 2014. I will inform you about the impact to the canyon as well as timeline once I have all the information.

Please be aware; at the end of the Sullivan Fire Road north of Mulholland Drive, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas®) will soon be working in the area to perform a pressure test on one of our natural gas pipelines. You will see SoCalGas and its Contractor’s trucks, water tanks, and heavy equipment.

I know a lot of you use this road for hiking and biking. My understanding is the road will not be completely blocked so you will be able to pass through. Work will begin late March 2014, and last until approximately early in May 2014, although weather and other factors affecting safe working conditions could change the schedule.

Thank you for your patience regarding Sullivan Canyon closures. Please understand Sullivan Canyon is private property, owned solely by the southern California gas company. Its primary function is a corridor for two high pressure gas lines. Because of its natural beauty, we make it available for public use. Periodically, we must complete state and federally mandated maintenance on this pipeline to insure its integrity and public safety. This maintenance may require partial or complete shutdown of the canyon, depending on the nature of the work. We try to keep the public informed of this work, scheduling and user impact.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Happy hiking and biking!

 

Sullivan Canyon Pipeline Work Begins January 6

Friday, December 20th, 2013

From the Public Affairs Office of Southern California Gas:

Since 1960, Southern California Gas Company (“SoCaIGas”) has owned much of the land that comprises Sullivan Canyon (more than 4 miles in length). This property is used as a corridor for two transmission pipelines that provide Los Angeles residents with a safe and reliable supply of natural gas. Periodically, SoCalGas must perform maintenance on these pipelines. The purpose of this letter is to provide information on pipeline maintenance and repair work that will occur in 2014.

Purpose of this Work

We recently internally inspected our pipeline. By code, we have areas we are required to perform a visual inspection of the pipeline as part of a validation process. This work is required to maintain the pipeline’s safety and integrity.

Location and Logistics

There are two work areas along the access road within the canyon that will require excavation.

Location 1: 0.7 (seven tenths) of a mile south from fire road #26 at the Mulholland entrance

Location 2: 2.8 miles in from fire road #26, or 1.4 miles from the Queensferry entrance

Partial Canyon Closures

The Canyon path will be closed from the Mulholland entrance at fire road #26 to location 1.

There is no change to the Queensferry entrance. Signs will be posted along the path indicating construction status.

The following impacts are to be expected in the canyon and surrounding neighborhood. I will keep you apprised of any changes.

-Work will commence on or about January 6, 2014.

-Work is estimated to be completed in 8 weeks.

-Information signs will be posted in advance at the beginning of each entrance.

-Work hours are sun up to sun down, Monday through Friday. No work will be performed on Saturday and Sunday.

-Intermittent loud noise in the immediate work areas.

-Increased dust in the immediate work areas.

-Increased traffic at the Mulholland entrance from work crews and equipment.

SoCalGas appreciates your understanding and apologizes for any inconveniences caused by this necessary work. It is our goal to minimize disruptions. We value our relationship with the community and will communicate with you when our work has the potential of impacting our neighbors. Again, there are two high-pressure transmission pipelines located in the canyon and we will continue to periodically perform maintenance work to them as-needed to ensure safety.

Safety is our first priority. Should you have any questions, please call me 213 244-4633 or email me at mharriel@semprautilities.com.

Sincerely,

Mike Harriel

Public Affairs Manager

More Work Taking Place in Sullivan Canyon Starting Early October

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012

From the Southern California Gas Company Public Affairs Manager

Southern California Gas Company Sullivan Canyon Pipeline Protection Project 

SoCal Gas plans to perform maintenance and repair work to the portion of Sullivan Canyon, which has been owned and maintained by SoCal Gas since 1960, in accordance with State and Federal pipeline safety regulations and a 5-year Maintenance Plan.  We are currently in the second year of that plan.

Heavy rains during 2010 and 2011 caused severe earth erosion and washout damage to the pipeline maintenance access road within the canyon.  As a result, buried SoCal Gas transmission pipelines have been exposed in some areas.  It is important that we repair this damage in order to maintain safety and so that we may continue to provide Southern California residents with a safe and reliable supply of natural gas.

For your consideration, the following impacts are to be expected in your neighborhood.  Please note that these are only approximations and are subject to change.  We will do our best to keep you apprised of any changes.

  • Duration of work (tentatively) – October 6, 2012, temporary restricted public access to certain areas of the canyon, which will remain in effect until work is completed.  At minimum, work is estimated to be completed by January 2013.  Staff will safely guide the public around restricted areas of the canyon.
  • Hours of Operation – 7am-7pm weekdays and 8am -6pm Saturdays.  No work will be performed Sundays;
  • Reduction of public curb parking at entrance to canyon;
  • Intermittent loud noise in the immediate work areas;
  • Increased dust in the immediate work areas;
  • Increased traffic from work crews and equipment; and
  • Signage indicating access restrictions.

Location and Logistics

  • 4.5 mile stretch of land that comprises Sullivan Canyon between Queensferry Rd. and Mulholland Dr. (Farmer’s Fire Rd.) at both ends of the canyon;
  • Equipment and material will be delivered via Queensferry Rd.;
  • Mulholland Drive will be the primary delivery/export route to avoid hindering traffic in the neighborhood near Queensferry Rd.; and
  • On-site construction management who will manage work crews to ensure that work is performed neatly and that a limited footprint is left in the canyon.

Purpose and Project Scope

  • Restoration of access road including grading and fill for safe pedestrian and vehicular use; the road will remain essentially an earthen road. and
  • Repair of cover to two high – pressure transmission pipelines.

Environmental Impacts

In order to re-establish the road and repair the pipelines while minimizing environmental impacts to the canyon, SoCal Gas has commissioned and will be working closely with professional environmental consultants during project planning and implementation.  To date, a survey has been conducted by the project biologist and an arborist recommended by the City of Los Angeles.  The survey identified and the City concurred upon the removal of two hazardous oak trees within the project alignment.  A hazard tree removal permit will be issued for this work and these trees will be mitigated at a 5:1 ratio (10 new trees will be planted as replacements) per the California Department of Fish and Game.  No additional oak trees or other native trees will be removed.

Oversight Agencies and Additional Advisory Assistance

  • United States Army Corps of Engineers
  • Los Angeles Region California Regional Water Quality Control Board
  • California Department of Fish and Game
  • Los Angeles Fire Department (fire prevention plan)
  • Sage Institute (environmental advisement)

Updates regarding additional closures and/or canyon restrictions, or changes to the project plan will be distributed periodically throughout the duration of the project.  Closures or restrictions will also be posted on the gate at Queensferry Road and at the entrance to the property off of Mulholland in advance, to the extent feasible.

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this necessary work to ensure pipeline safety and maintenance of a reliable natural gas supply to the Los Angeles basin area.  SoCal Gas appreciates your understanding of the need for this maintenance work and temporary disruption of canyon access.

Please know that safety is our first priority.  We appreciate customers and members of the community keeping us informed on conditions surrounding our facilities.  Likewise, we believe it is important to communicate with you when we know our work will impact our neighbors. Again, there are two high-pressure transmission pipelines located in the canyon and we will continue to periodically perform maintenance work to them as-needed to ensure safety.  We will provide notification when projects are scheduled and we will do our best to work with neighbors and the public to minimize impacts to customers and stakeholders.  It is our goal to keep disruptions to a minimum and we regret temporary inconveniences.

Thank you for your understanding while we perform this necessary maintenance and repair work.  Should you have any questions, please call Krista Phipps at (323) 578-2650 or email kphipps@semprautilities.com.

Sullivan Canyon to Re-open December 18

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

From Sharon O’Rourke at The Gas Company

We have completed the pipeline work and currently demobilizing the equipment.  We should be out by Friday and the Canyon will be re-open to the public as of Saturday, 12/18.  This took longer than anticipated, and the rains we experienced delayed our construction.

Sullivan Canyon to Experience More Closures

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

From Sharon O’Rourke of The Gas Company.

If you’ve been through Sullivan Canyon this year, you have noticed that our maintenance road sustained significant damage from the February heavy rains.  As a result, we will have to repair the road before we resume our pipeline protection plan with the concrete mats.  Despite the rains, the concrete mats performed as expected and over time, it will be covered with natural material.

The road repair is currently scheduled to start on 5/24 and will take between 2-3 weeks.  We will close the canyon while this work takes place.  At this time we do not have a start date for the pipeline protection work so it is possible we may re-open the canyon to the public until we start the pipeline work which is currently scheduled for sometime between mid-June to mid-July.  This work, which includes laying the concrete mats to cover the remaining 12 pipeline exposure areas, is expected to take 3 – 4 months and will involve closing the canyon.

For more information go to www.socalgas.com/sullivancanyon.