Difficult Access Reaches Pilot Projects

Renewal of sewers that are difficult to access pose significant challenges to the City of Los Angeles (City). These Difficult Access Reaches (DARs) are commonly found to be located in private property with or without access easements, or with structures built directly or indirectly above the sewers. Such structures commonly consist of private buildings and include houses, garages, or car ports; paved drive ways, spas and swimming pools, stairs, fences and retaining walls; paved hardscape areas; yards and other landscaping; and a multitude of other constructed features. It is common to find stored goods and materials in DAR utility easements. Further, DARs are also known to exist in vegetated, rugged, and/or hilly terrain. They may be present in environmentally sensitive areas where protected flora grows and fauna resides.To date the City has identified more than 46 miles of DARs requiring inspection and possible renewal. The BOS has conducted two (2) separate DAR renewal pilot projects using two (2) very differing approaches to the planning, design and construction efforts associated with DAR renewal. These pilot projects have provided the BOS with valuable insights into the investigation, evaluation, renewal options and consideration for the expansion of BOS acceptable renewal technologies and methods for DARs. These pilot projects have served to provide a much needed comparative cost basis between SSRP and DAR projects for future CIP budget development.