Council Discusses New City Hall, Potential Truck Routes During Meeting

During Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, updates were given on the SCAG truck lane project and the status of the new City Hall and library complex. 

City Manager James DeStefano gave a report on the SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments) plan on utilizing the 60 freeway corridor to move goods from ports to Los Angeles, and then inland.

One such route would be from the 710 to the 605, and then to the 57.

“The desire is to move significant amounts of freight through that area, utilizing Union Pacific Railway property between the 710 and 605, then transition to San Jose Creek wash from the 605 to 57,” DeStefano said. 

There are significant concerns about the type and size of the project being proposed.

“We’ve been monitoring activity for some time,” DeStefano said. “The primary issue is that we are desiring a more efficient and environmentally sensitive means of delivering goods in and through the region. We are supportive of SCAG’s efforts to accomplish this,  but very concerned with several proposals under consideration, specifically the segment between the 605 and 57.”

One proposal is to have elevated truck lanes go through the wash, roughly parallel to Valley Boulevard and the 60 freeway. The structure would be four lanes of truck traffic, some 50 feet above the current grade.

“There are no details whatsoever on how the trucks will transition from the wash,” DeStefano said. “It terminates at about where the Kohl’s is in City of Industry at Grand Avenue and Valley Boulevard, then somehow swings back to the 60. We think it’s imperative that the impact to residential communities, businesses, and open spaces be analyzed.”

Also discussed was the status of the new City Hall and library. Staff reported that demo work has been started, and that salvaged cabinetry will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. The project is on time and on budget, with the building exteriors, City Hall interior, and lobby completion expected for December. The Library should be completed in the fall of 2012.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, at 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar. Meetings are broadcasted live on the city’s website, Channel 3 on Time Warner Cable and Channel 47 on Verizon FIOS. Public comments are welcome, with speakers filling out a card before the meeting and submitting it to the City Clerk. There is a five minute maximum time limit when addressing the council.