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Army Corps outlines Whittier Narrows dam upgrade, warns of multi-year Lincoln Avenue impacts
Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers briefed the Montebello City Council on planned safety upgrades at Whittier Narrows Dam, describing a multiyear construction schedule that will raise and shift Lincoln Avenue, affect trails and recreation, and require extended coordination with the city and utility owners.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presented a dam-safety project for Whittier Narrows on Jan. 22, telling the Montebello City Council the work will include major construction on Lincoln Avenue, multi-year preconstruction and construction periods, and temporary impacts to trails, traffic and nearby recreation areas.
Project manager George Sonny of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Whittier Narrows "is about a 3 mile long dam" that protects roughly 1,000,000 people downstream and is normally dry but can impound large flows during major storms. He said the corps has identified erosion risks under the dam foundation and potential overtopping during extreme storms, and the project is designed to address those weaknesses.
Sonny described the work planned through a large contract now in procurement: roughly two years of preconstruction coordination, including extensive utility relocation and city coordination, followed by about five years of major construction. "You can expect that there's going to be major construction, most likely to start about 2027 and last about 5 years," Sonny said.
On impacts, the corps said Lincoln Avenue would be raised approximately five feet and shifted southeast about 60 feet to reduce overtopping risk and accommodate utilities. The agency also expects short-term lane reductions on Rosemead Boulevard but intends to keep the four lanes open for most of the work. Sonny warned of expected construction noise, vibration and dust and said some trails in the Whittier Narrows area would close during heavy construction for public safety.
Council members and staff pressed the corps on local coordination. Councilmember David Torres asked about communications between contractors and the city; Sonny said the contract will include a preconstruction period and a contractor with "utility relocation expertise" so issues are addressed before construction begins. "We're spending some time investing in that utility relocation expertise," Sonny said. Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo praised the corps' planned public engagement and asked whether the city could use the construction to address chronic dumping near Lincoln Avenue; Sonny said he would check with his team and follow up with the council.
Sonny also said the corps has hired communications specialists to improve public outreach and will coordinate with Los Angeles County Parks and Public Works to restore trails after construction.
The council did not take formal action on the project; the presentation was informational and the corps said it will return with additional updates as construction approaches.
