Why fix it if it ain’t broke? Because if the “it” in question is a bridge, a sewer line or the water in your tap, it’s too vital to wait.
To that end, the Los Angeles section of the American Society of Civil Engineers convened more than 80 professionals from the public, private and academic sectors to issue its first report card on L.A. county infrastructure.
The findings were presented and discussed at USC’s Davidson Conference Center Feb. 12.
The report card assesses the condition and capacity of 11 infrastructure systems: streets and highways, bridges, transit, dams, solid waste, parks, flood control, drinking water, wastewater, urban runoff and ports.
“Infrastructure systems require constant maintenance, periodic replacement and occasional expansion. One dollar spent now for proper maintenance can save five times that much in repair costs just a few years down the line,” said ASCE L.A. section president Harvey Gobas.
“Even in tough economic times such as we’re facing in the county, the state and the nation today,” he added, “we cannot afford to ignore infrastructure funding needs. Infrastructure is critical both to economic vitality and quality of life.”
Among the report card’s findings:
Bridges - C
Consistent with the national average, almost 30% of the County’s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Investment in our bridges is necessary to provide for bridge replacement, widening, deck reconstruction, and bridge approach work.
Dams - B-
A commitment to continue maintenance, rehabilitation, and modernization programs is needed in order to preserve the existing safe conditions of County dams and enhance their structural and functional capabilities.
Drinking Water - C-
The drinking water infrastructure is facing major challenges within the next 20 years. Major goals are implementing a systematic approach to finance and renew older pipelines and equipment, and complying with stringent water quality standards. Water supply cutbacks will require investment in new technologies for recycling, ocean water desalination, and water use efficiency.
Flood Control - B
The flood control system in the County is relatively new and is maintained regularly, providing adequate flood protection to its constituents. However, a significant ongoing annual investment is needed in order to maintain this condition.
Parks - C+
The deterioration of park infrastructure adversely impacts the enjoyment of park users. Expansion and improvement are required to enhance the recreational opportunities currently offered in our park system and to provide additional opportunities to serve the entire population.
Ports - B
One of the busiest port complexes in the world, the San Pedro Bay ports continue to grow. Investment in the ports and the surrounding regional infrastructure is needed to accommodate the ever-increasing shipping traffic that is vital to our economy.
Solid Waste - A-
While challenges remain, the jurisdictions in the County have made significant strides in diverting waste from landfills. In the meantime, the County Sanitation Districts continues its efforts to address the area’s long-term disposal needs by committing resources toward developing remote waste-by-rail landfills and infrastructure.
Streets and Highways - C-
Half of Los Angeles County roadway pavements are in poor condition. Level of service is rated poor at more than half of the congestion monitoring stations. A significant investment is needed over the next 25 years to improve the condition of pavement and reduce traffic congestion.
Transit - C+
Solutions to Los Angeles’ traffic congestion are available. A comprehensive transit network is necessary in order to effectively improve countywide mobility.
Urban Runoff - D
The need to clean up polluted urban runoff to protect our ocean presents major challenges. Funding is needed to implement pollution management programs and establish scientific validation of water quality standards.
Wastewater System - B
The wastewater system’s pipelines, pump stations, and treatment plants are essential to protect the public health. Ongoing investment is needed to sustain our quality of life and protect the environment.
Kitty Felde – host of KPCC 89.3 FM’s “Talk of the City – moderated a discussion of the worst-scoring categories with Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor 2nd District; Joseph S. Devinny, professor of civil & environmental engineering and associate director of the Center for Sustainable Cities, USC; Jack Kyser, chief economist, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.; Andy Lipkis, president, TreePeople; James E. Moore II, professor of civil engineering, public policy & management, and associate director for Metropolitan Transportation Research (METRANS), USC; and Beverly O’Neill, mayor, City of Long Beach.
An audio file of the broadcast can be downloaded at http://www.kpcc.org/programming/talkofthe city.
To download a copy of the report, click here: InfrastructureReportCard.pdf. (Acrobat)
The event was co-hosted by USC’s Keston California Infrastructure Institute and the USC School of Engineering’s department of civil and environmental engineering, the Los Angeles section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and KPCC 89.3 FM Southern California Public Radio.
Co-sponsors included the Southern California chapter of the American Public Works Association, the California Rebuild America Coalition, the California Policy Reform Network, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the National Center for Metropolitan Transportation Research, and the Southern California Transportation and Land Use Coalition.