Councilman aims to change rush-hour construction ordinance

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A ban that prohibited construction work on Los Angeles side streets during busy traffic hours may be easing up.

At many construction sites around the city, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power workers aren't allowed to work past 3:30 p.m. for fear of causing more rush-hour traffic, even if they only have 30 minutes or one hour of work left.

Some residents and city officials say this method, which was an executive order signed by former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005, was an idea that has done more harm than good.

"City crews, DWP have to sit and wait because of this ordinance. You're driving along and witnessing city crews just standing there, and it's not their fault," he said.

As part of the order, construction workers are prohibited from working during morning and afternoon rush hours with the goal of easing traffic. But because of those breaks, construction takes longer, which in turn costs the city more money.

DWP estimates $20 million each year in taxpayer money is spent on construction. Buscaino is looking to start a one-year pilot program to ease restrictions on smaller side streets.

Still, even on smaller streets, there would likely be a rise in traffic. In the end, it may come down to a choice between more traffic or paying more money.

Burbank resident Roni Manouki said he does not think people are wasting too much money in taxes on construction jobs.

"I think people get more affected by traffic (and) getting to work to make that money," he said.

Another Burbank resident, Anna Maschek, said the roads should be fixed regardless of the effect the work would have on traffic.

"We're going to be in traffic. It's going to be there, it's just a part of life," she said. "So save a little bit of money to get our roads fixed, which in the end will make our traffic better."