Caltrans Inspecting Sites Under Freeways And Bridges For Potential Risks

Following the fire that shut down a stretch of the 10 Freeway for just over a week, Caltrans has identified dozens of similar sites that could pose a safety risk.

The state agency took inventory of all the so-called airspace sites, including evaluating details like how close they are to key infrastructure and what the sites are used for, and determined that 38 out of 601 active leases were potentially risky. However, according to the agency, “only a limited number of sites have been identified as presenting a specific fire or safety risk.”

Publicly available data show that Caltrans inspected 21 sites along the 10 Freeway after the fire broke out on Nov. 11. The majority of those were for parking, while the others were identified as being used for industrial purposes. Caltrans also conducted an inspection of an airspace site along the 5 Freeway, as well as an inspection of four telecommunication tower sites in Orange County along the 73 Freeway.

“The State Fire Marshal is finalizing their findings on Airspace lease sites around Los Angeles and will report them to Caltrans,” Eric Menjivar, a spokesperson for Caltrans District 7, said in a statement. “If any fire risk issues are identified, Caltrans will immediately provide notices to the lessees to correct them. Caltrans will share notifications and inspection reports as part of its transparent review process of the Airspace lease program.”

If a site is found to be a safety risk, the agency will issue a three-day notice to owners to address the risks, Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin wrote in a memo to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Following the 10 Freeway fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department also conducted its own review of underpasses and found 23 with violations, which were referred to the state fire marshal.

Non-fire risks, but other safety concerns

At the airspace sites with no specific fire risks other issues were found, according to the memo. Some sites are being used to store unauthorized vehicles or for maintenance of vehicles. Others had trailers and sheds that were not permitted on site.

More than 100 sites, the memo states, were last inspected in 2021 or earlier. While the majority of them are used for parking or telecommunication, and therefore considered low risk, Caltrans is in the process of scheduling inspections because they're close to key infrastructure sites.

The airspace leasing program

Airspace leasing is a common practice with revenues earned from the program going toward the State Highway Account to fund public transportation. Caltrans is reviewing the lease program for issues with inspections and enforcement.

Apex Development, the Calabasas-based company that had leased the space under the 10 Freeway, is currently facing lawsuits by CalTrans for subleasing the site to other tenants without authorization.

The fire was caused by arson and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the CalFire Arson and Bomb unit at arsonbomb@fire.ca.gov, or call the CalFire Hotline at (800) 468-4408.