> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Rosendahl wants in - URL: https://www.smdp.com/rosendahl-wants-in/ - Published: 2007-07-06T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T02:13:46.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Government & Politics, Pacific Palisades, #archive-import *L.A. Councilman looks to play bigger role in incline construction* CITY HALL Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl believes Santa Monica planners may have underestimated the amount of traffic that will flood into the Santa Monica Canyon and Pacific Palisades because of construction on the California Incline, and has called for more collaboration between the two cities. Rosendahl, who represents the Westside areas outside Santa Monica’s city limits, wants to work hand-in-hand with the project’s planners. The response from Santa Monica? Thanks, but no thanks. In a letter to the city manager, Rosendahl suggested developing a working group comprised of city staff from both Santa Monica and Los Angeles, as well as residents living in both cities, so that they can discuss and propose solutions to the traffic problems sure to result from the replacement of the incline, which is essentially a bridge between Pacific Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue. Constructed in 1930, the California Incline Bridge has been deemed as structurally deficient by authorities. Two bridge inspection reports — in 1989 and 1994 — both found the 77-year-old bridge to be in need of replacement. The dilapidated bridge does not meet current seismic standards and is showing signs of its old age, like breaks and cracks in the concrete, according to an environmental impact report for the project. “While I applaud Santa Monica’s efforts to make essential seismic improvements to the California Incline, I am concerned that planning for the traffic mitigations is not moving quickly or thoughtfully enough, and our respective transportation departments are not working collaboratively,” Rosendahl wrote in his letter, dated Monday, July 2. “Given that the project will necessitate the closure of the California Incline, my constituents in Santa Monica Canyon and Pacific Palisades are worried that traffic will be diverted into their community, causing gridlock.” Santa Monica officials said they have been working with Rosendahl’s staff and Los Angeles residents, and will continue to do so as they get closer to construction in the spring of 2009. That said, it does not look as if City Hall will be open to developing a joint working group on the project, since it is a Santa Monica effort under the jurisdiction of the City Council, said Craig Perkins, director of environmental and public works management, which oversees the completion of infrastructure projects. “The bottom line is that the project is in the city of Santa Monica and managed by the city of Santa Monica, so ultimately, we have the responsibilities for determining that approach is best given all of the competing concerns and budget constraints …” Perkins said. “We’re fully open to talking with the city of Los Angeles, making sure that we’ve heard all their concerns, but this is not a project where there will be an equal partnership. “The final decisions are up to our City Council.” SOME BREATHING ROOM Funding for the project has not been secured, so for Rosendahl to say that Santa Monica is not moving quickly enough is premature, Perkins said. City officials are still waiting to hear from state transportation officials about the bulk of the estimated $10 million needed to complete the project. City Hall,which has set aside $1.2 million for the project, is expected to get an answer soon. In the meantime, city staff will continue to hold meetings with the public to explain the project and its potential impacts. Construction is expected to last 12 months, Perkins said, and there still needs to be discussions about the Santa Monica Pier Bridge replacement project and if that would coincide with the incline construction or occur some time after it is completed. Perkins said both projects will not begin until construction crews complete the new public beach club at 415 PCH. Traffic seems to be the biggest concern of residents of Santa Monica and Los Angeles. During meetings with both groups, city staff heard from residents in the canyon who worried about small, winding streets becoming even more congested, while those living near the incline feared losing their limited parking spaces to construction equipment. “Traffic is the big gorilla,” said George Wolfberg, president of the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association. “People are already complaining that they can’t get out of their driveways during rush hour.” Residents in the canyon have suggested speeding up construction by working 24 hours a day until it is completed. That could be done, Perkins said, but the council would first have to weigh the added cost of such an undertaking and whether or not the benefits are worth it. “We have done some extended projects, but never 24 hours, at least not that I can remember” Perkins said. “In Santa Monica Canyon, this sounds really attractive, but if you are a resident on PCH or other adjacent streets, you may not want all that noise and the lights at night.” Others suggested shuttling in construction crews to save parking spaces. Workers would park at a city lot in the Civic Center or farther down the beach and be brought to the job site. Perkins said this was doable and will be part of the discussion as the project moves forward. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 6, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070607.pdf?ref=smdp.com)