Metro rail project leaving South LA homes coated in dust

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A big pile of dirt in South Los Angeles connected to a light-rail project is triggering complaints from residents who say their homes are being coated with dust.

The dirt is piled up on 58th Street near Vermont Avenue. It is being stored there as part of a project to extend Metro's Crenshaw/LAX railway.

While Metro says it takes steps to mitigate dust, residents say they find a coating inside their homes on a regular basis. They can't keep their windows open or sit on their porches. And they say construction noise lasts from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"Every two days I'm dusting. Even on my furniture, even on my flowers there's dust," said resident Angela Bruce.

The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project will provide eight additional stations in Crenshaw, Inglewood, Westchester and other neighborhoods with an 8.5 mile extension from the existing Metro Exposition Line at Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards.

As part of the project, a bike path is also being built in the area.

Metro spokesman Dave Sotero said the soil must be stored locally and it will be used to backfill tunnels once they're built. He said it will be stored there for probably the next two years.

He said inactive piles of dirt are covered with tarps, and a water truck keeps portions wet to stop the blowing of dust.

"We simply ask for their forbearance and their patience," Sotero said. "Construction will be invasive at times. But it does have an end date and the benefits are going to be very much worthwhile for the community."

He added that Metro is talking to contractors about installing a fence in the area to help further block blowing dust.

Metro invites anyone with concerns to email them and subscribe to their project list through crenshawcorridor@metro.net.