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Residents fault East Welling Boulevard project after Hayward-area explosion; county opens investigation
Summary
Residents and business owners near the East Welling Boulevard construction in Ashland told the Alameda County Board of Supervisors the project has caused property damage, safety risks and displacement after a Dec. 11 explosion; county officials said investigators from Alameda County Fire, the NTSB and Cal/OSHA are involved.
Alameda County supervisors heard dozens of public comments Tuesday from residents and business owners near the East Welling Boulevard reconstruction in Ashland who said construction there has damaged property, disrupted access and contributed to a Dec. 11 explosion that injured neighbors.
"They took 3 feet of 3 to 5 feet of our property," said Kathy Rodriguez, a 21-year homeowner on East Welling Boulevard, describing sidewalks, damaged fences and flooding she attributed to the street work. Neighbors described exposed gas lines, displaced families, lost parking and businesses forced to close.
County officials acknowledged the publics distress and said an investigation is underway. President Halbert read a county statement saying Alameda County Fire is leading the probe and the county is collaborating with the National Transportation Safety Board and Cal/OSHA; the county directed residents to a project website and an office email for inquiries (alcopio@acgov.org).
Local business owners told the board that the work had reduced parking and customer access and intensified after the explosion. "Since the construction has happened, it's detrimental to the businesses," said Mike Morgan, who runs a dispensary four doors from the site. Another speaker said his mother and dog were home when the blast occurred and described continuing trauma and uncertainty about safety.
Speakers urged the board to provide status updates on housing and services for displaced residents and on support for those injured. Supervisor Marquez had earlier requested a public status update to confirm Red Cross involvement and to identify supports for those still hospitalized and recovering at home.
County staff told the board the East Welling Boulevard project aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, upgrade a railroad crossing and create high-visibility crosswalks near two schools, and that work should resume with continued emphasis on safety once the investigation is complete. The board also said the county intends to issue an immediate press release and field public questions through the stated email contact.
The board did not take a separate vote on the Ashland comments; speakers were told that the topic was not agendized for action that day but that county leaders hear the concerns and that the investigation would continue.
