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Council approves start of process to limit heavy-truck tonnage on East Seventh and South Reed streets after resident complaints
Summary
Following testimony about diesel exhaust, noise and health concerns near schools, the council approved initiating a tonnage-limitation process for East Seventh Street and South Reed Street; council members urged enforcement and further steps.
The Los Angeles City Council voted to begin the process of restricting heavy-truck traffic on East Seventh Street and South Reed Street after residents described diesel exhaust, noise and health problems near homes and schools. Council members noted the measures are an initial step and further hearings and studies will follow.
Residents said diesel trucks use the local streets as a shortcut to the 5 Freeway, producing dust, noise and emissions close to three nearby schools and daycare centers. Ezekiel Perez, a resident of East Seventh Street, said the neighborhood has seen a rise in respiratory and cancer-related health problems and urged the council to act: "I live at 2471 East Seventh Street ... the community, there's been a large, outbreak of asthma and cancer with the residents." Margarita Sanchez and other neighbors described broken windows from truck vibration, persistent dust and difficulty sleeping because of noise.
Council member Pacheco led the item and described the measure as the start of a process that will include additional meetings and analyses. He asked colleagues to support a motion that extended the tonnage limitation request to include South Reed Street where truck routing created a loophole. Council members praised residents for organizing and noted the difficulty of enforcement but emphasized health and safety concerns.
The Department of Transportation and council staff will follow the council direction to pursue a tonnage limitation resolution and begin necessary traffic studies and public outreach. Council members also noted the importance of enforcement and monitoring once a limit is adopted. The council recorded the roll call on the amended item as 14 ayes.
Next steps the council identified include formal traffic studies, follow-up community meetings and coordination with transportation and public-safety agencies to design signage, enforcement protocols and exemptions for emergency access. Residents said they intend to continue monitoring and to work with council offices on enforcement once limits are in place.
