TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to identify resources for the construction of a Terminal Island Freeway Soundwall.
DISCUSSION
The West Long Beach area-west of the LA River from Pacific Coast Highway to Wardlow Road-is home to eight schools and an ethnically diverse community.
Many of the schools that serve our youngest residents, including Cabrillo High School, Hudson School! Bethune Transitional Center, Webster elementary, and the Comprehensive Child Development Center, are located adjacent to the Terminal Island Freeway (SR-47/1 03). Additionally, the schools and neighborhoods are within a heavily industrialized center that includes the Port related business, oil refineries, major rail yards, and other gross polluters.
At issue are the health and safety hazards attributed to the noise and pollution generated by increases in diesel truck traffic on the Terminal Island Freeway.
This traffic is almost exclusively diesel truck trips between the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to/from the Union Pacific - Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (UP-ICTF) operated under a Joint Powers Authority by the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA). Recently, a competing railroad has proposed constructing an additional rail yard to serve both Ports and ACTA. Any proposals to expand rail operations or the SR-4 7/103 must mitigate the current impacts and address the immediate needs of the area. The construction of a sound barrier would help address issues of environmental justice for the community.
We are seeking the City Council's support for directing the City Manager to work with responsible agencies, including the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, Caltrans, ACTA and UP-ICTF, to quickly identify resources for the construction of a sound barrier along the Terminal Island Freeway.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.