The recent partial collapse of a construction tunnel in L.A. County has raised significant concerns regarding worker safety and construction protocols. On Wednesday evening, 31 workers found themselves in a perilous situation as they scrambled to escape from the tunnel, located near the 1700 block of North Figueroa Street in Wilmington. This incident prompted a swift response from the L.A. Fire Department, which dispatched over 100 personnel, including specialized search and rescue teams trained for confined-space tunnel rescues.
Fortunately, all workers were able to exit the safety tunnel unscathed. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass expressed her relief upon meeting the rescued workers, stating, “We are all blessed today in Los Angeles, no one injured, everyone safe.” Her comments highlighted the successful outcome of an evening that began with alarm and fear. The incident occurred in a tunnel that extends six miles and reaches depths of 400 feet underground, emphasizing the risks involved in such large-scale construction projects.
During a news conference late Wednesday, interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva detailed that the workers were over five miles into the tunnel when the collapse occurred. At the time of the incident, there were 27 men inside, while an additional four entered the tunnel to lend assistance. Robert Ferrante, chief engineer for the L.A. County Sanitation Districts, explained that the debris did not completely block the tunnel, allowing the workers to navigate back through the damaged section. “Any time you have a collapse in a tunnel behind you, there is only one way out,” Ferrante noted. “It was very scary. We are very fortunate no one was hurt.”
The incident took place during the construction of the Clearwater Project, which aims to transport treated, clean wastewater from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant to the ocean. Initially, the tunnel was slated to reach Royal Palms Beach by the end of the year, extending its length to seven miles. The Joint Water Pollution Control Plant is the largest wastewater treatment facility operated by the L.A. County Sanitation Districts. This incident marks the first major setback since construction began in late 2019, with tunnel work commencing in 2021.
Following the incident, Ferrante announced that work on the tunnel will be paused indefinitely. The contractor responsible for the project will need to conduct a thorough assessment of the tunnel's condition leading up to the collapse. “There’s no telling how long that will take,” Ferrante remarked, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the tunnel's safety before proceeding. “It’ll take as long as it needs to make sure that the tunnel is safe.”
L.A. Supervisor Janice Hahn, City Councilmember Tim McOsker, and Congressmember Nanette Barragán were present at the scene of the rescue operation, demonstrating community support during this challenging time. Hahn described the incident as traumatic for the workers, who emerged “alive and happy” but visibly shaken. She assured that the sanitation districts would thoroughly investigate the collapse to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This alarming event underscores the critical need for stringent safety measures in construction projects, particularly in confined spaces like sanitation tunnels. As assessments begin and investigations unfold, the focus will remain on ensuring the safety of workers and the integrity of the construction processes moving forward.
