Orange Line workers take aim at toxics

Workers on the Orange Line Extension project are getting the lead out. And the asbestos, too.

Over the course of the next month or so, workers will be removing the substances from 18 buildings among the 45 to be demolished as part of the project to extend the popular rapid transit busway northward. Starting today, May 12, the work will be occurring in the busway’s right-of-way–slightly east of Canoga Avenue between Vanowen Street in Canoga Park and Lassen Street in Chatsworth—between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.

“There’s no risk to the public because the contractor will have 100% containment,” says Scott McConnell, Metro senior construction manager on the project. All work will take place indoors, with continual air monitoring to make sure no toxics escape.

He says next steps include the actual demolition of the buildings, clean-up of drums of oil and paint cans left behind by several of the relocated businesses and excavating and removing contaminated soil along the one-time railroad line.

When the entire project is finished in the summer of 2012, the Orange Line Extension will extend the bus line four miles northward from Warner Center to its final destination between Devonshire and Lassen streets in Chatsworth. The line averages about 22,000 boardings each weekday now and is expected to reach 45,000 a day by 2030.

Car and foot traffic along Canoga Avenue will not be affected by the current abatement work. And there won’t be much to see.

McConnell says Metro asked the contractor: “Are there going to be guys in moon suits walking around with instruments?”

The answer was no.

Posted 5-11-10