Pasadena residents fed up with dust from recycling operation on 210 Freeway

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- This holiday weekend is Pasadena's time to shine, with the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl, but just a stone's throw from the parade route is a major eyesore: a big pile of concrete and a noisy, messy construction site.

There's a concrete recycling operation in the stub of the 210 Freeway, producing enough material to pave 9 miles of the 210.

Caltrans calls it a batch plant, but for Pasadena neighbors, it's a headache.

The process converts all broken concrete into smaller bits. The dust also creates air pollution, and the contractor has been cited by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

"We have installed a noise barrier around the batch plant. We also utilize water trucks that spray down the concrete piles," explained Tim Weisberg of Caltrans.

The city said it has been "working with Caltrans during the past year, and we have been able to share our concerns regarding the operations and the impact on our residents."

The AQMD confirmed the dust violations are resolved.

Caltrans said locating the batch plant close to the freeway rehab area shortens the haul for trucks. In the end, minimizing air pollution.

Ultimately, drivers will get a smoother ride on the 210 Freeway.

"This is a short-term disruption for a long-term gain," Weisberg said.

Westside residents said they are anxious to move forward. Their vision is new development on a span over the top of the stub -- apartments, commercial space and, likely, many more trucks.

For air quality complaints now or in the future, the AQMD said you can call them at 1-800-CUT-SMOG.

As for the end of the batch plant, Caltrans said it will be done in the summer of 2018.