When former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took office in 2005, he put in place a ban on construction during rush hour traffic. The move was popular, and did cut back on construction-related slow-downs during morning and evening commutes, but it came at a price: more than $20 million each year.
The logistics of the rush hour construction create a dilemma for construction workers, particularly DWP, which says the ban disrupts regular shifts, creating a strange workflow and forcing projects that could be finished in one afternoon to span days. The cost of these scheduling changes, fines and more adds up to about $91,000 per day for taxpayers. Since taking office, Mayor Eric Garcetti has begun to reevaluate the rush hour construction ban, but revoking the executive order may not be a popular decision -- many Angelenos only see benefits in cutting back on rush hour traffic.
Should L.A. allow construction during rush hour? How might things change to save money?
Guests:
Jim Newton, editor-at-large, Los Angeles Times
Randy Howard, Head of the power system, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP); he led the report that estimated the construction ban’s cost to taxpayers