Construction Vehicles Can Return to Trousdale, City Council Decides

Beverly Hills' Trousdale neighborhood, where two Los Angeles police officers died in separate crashes involving big rig construction vehicles, has been ordered reopened to such traffic, but with a series of interim safety measures in place.

Following a study session on Tuesday, the Beverly Hills City Council directed staff to begin opening up the area to heavy hauling vehicles that either weigh more than 26,000 pounds or have three or more axles, said Therese Kosterman, the city's public information manager.

Construction managers and general contractors must submit a plan for the safe operation of construction vehicles up to a maximum of 50,400 pounds, she said.

The plans must include provisions for off-street parking of construction vehicles, the use of city-designated routes, the incorporation of secondary braking devices, verifications of annual inspections by the city of commercial vehicles, a 15 mph speed limit; daily limits that would allow such traffic only between 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. and 24-hour notice for passage of vehicles more than 26,000 gross pounds.

"In addition, the city will provide additional security in the area, post additional signs and offer educational material for truck drivers," Kosterman said.

"Construction managers and general contractors will be held responsible for following the new rules and any violations will result in a shutdown of the construction site. The goal of the City Council is to have zero serious accidents going forward."

The attempt to find permanent solutions will continue, Kosterman said, adding that such measures could include city certification of trucks, monitors for trucks traveling downhill with heavy loads and the designation of certain companies as heavy haulers in the area.

Heavy construction vehicles had been banned in the area following the May 9 death of LAPD Detective Ernest Allen on the same stretch of Loma Vista Drive where LAPD Officer Nicholas Lee was killed on March 7.

--City News Service