Wind, rain, heat and other elements are constantly chipping away at infrastructure. This adds onto the normal wear ‘n’ tear of how we use infrastructure such as roads.
If our infrastructure is not properly protected, there’s great danger to the public. Bridges can collapse. Dams can burst and flood a town. And even potholes pose a threat to public safety.
This is why restoration projects are an absolute necessity. Routine maintenance can slow erosion, extend infrastructure viability, and is relatively cheap compared to constructing a structure from scratch. Plus, almost every repair-related project generates jobs, which advances economic development.
And who needs to haul all the needed materials to rebuild America’s homeland? Truck drivers.
Truck Drivers Can Help Restore Local Communities
Taking this into consideration, local governments are using American tax dollars to improve infrastructure across the nation. Although these restoration projects involve a wide range of objectives, the “Big Dig” project in Los Angeles County, California got our attention.
Officials of LA County are looking to hire a group of local truckers to assist with a four-year project. If successful, this project improve flood protection and restore a habitat nearby the Devil’s Gate Dam.
According to a county email shared with Pasadena Now, “Los Angeles County Public Works is looking to hire truck operators this spring from Altadena, Pasadena, and neighboring communities to work on the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration Project”.
As an added bonus, LA County has mandated that at least 30 percent of the project hours must be completed by targeted and local workers. So if you live in LA County and need work, this may be an ideal way for you to secure a consistent paycheck in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Devil’s Gate Dam Restoration Project
In a statement issued by LA County,officials revealed the project involves removing roughly 1.7 million cubic yards of sediment from behind the dam wall. By doing so, the structure should be able to hold back more water, thus increasing flood protection for those who are downstream.
The last time this type of project was conducted was back in 1994, when approximately 160,000 cubic yards of debris and soil was removed. This deduction was later returned plus almost an additional million cubic yards of soil and debris in 2009 after over 160,000 acres burned down. During these changes, the 100-year old dam managed to endure the vast changes in pressure. Taking this into consideration, officials are confident the Devil’s Gate Dam can withstand the “Big Dig” project despite its age.
Caveats on the Big Dig
Of course, there is controversy. Some lawyers and preservationists are fighting against the project. In addition to objecting to the large amount of sediment being removed, almost a million more than what was returned in 2009, the groups are concerned about traffic.
Before restoring the nearby habitat,truckers have to drive through it repeatedly every day of the project, which can cause damage. Once all said and done, however, a permanent storm water maintenance area will be erected there, thus making it possible to create about 70 acres of enhanced habitat for wildlife.
A Good Project
The “Big Dig” project, improving the dam’s structural integrity, could be a lifesaver for those in flood danger zones. This is one great example of how local governments can create jobs and hire truckers as part of the essential restoration and rebuilding of America.
Truckers interested in participating inthe “Big Dig” may find out more about the project from the Solis Group, located at 131 N. El Molino Ave., via (626) 685-6989.