Latest news with #JaniceHahn
International Business Times
10-07-2025
- Climate
- International Business Times
31 Workers Rescued After Tunnel Collapse in Los Angeles; No Injuries Reported
Thirty-one workers were safely rescued after a tunnel partially collapsed in Wilmington, Los Angeles, on Wednesday night. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded quickly to the emergency inside the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel—part of the $630.5 million Clearwater Project. The collapse was reported around 8 p.m. near South Figueroa Street and Q Street. The workers were deep underground, nearly 6 miles inside the tunnel and about 450 feet below the surface. Emergency responders, including LAFD's Urban Search and Rescue teams, were sent in to help. The collapse happened as a tunnel boring machine was in operation. A large amount of dirt, estimated at over 15 feet high, blocked part of the tunnel. Workers had to climb over this soil mound to reach safety. L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed all workers were rescued and had no visible injuries. Mayor Karen Bass praised the response, saying, "Thank you to our brave first responders. You are L.A.'s true heroes." According to LAFD Chief Villanueva, "A structural failure occurred 5 to 6 miles inside the tunnel. Workers made their way through debris before our teams assisted them out." The Clearwater Tunnel is a 7-mile-long, 18-foot-wide pipe meant to carry treated wastewater from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant to the ocean. The tunnel is being built by Flatiron Dragados and replaces older systems from 1937 and 1958. Rescue teams faced tough conditions due to the tunnel's depth and distance from the entry point. Officials say the response was a major success, preventing a potential tragedy.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Los Angeles tunnel collapse: What happened in Wilmington, California? Latest details
On Wednesday, thirty-one workers were rescued following the collapse of one industrial tunnel in Wilmington, said the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters are seen at the site of an industrial tunnel collapse in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles on July 9, 2025. 31 workers were safely removed from the tunnel without visible injuries, the LAFD said on July 9. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)(AFP) The LAFD mobilized a major emergency operation, sending more than 100 responders, including all of its elite Urban Search and Rescue teams, to the site on the 1700 block of South Figueroa Street. The collapse took place deep within the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel, which is currently under construction as part of the $630.5 million Clearwater Project. ALSO READ| Pasadena car chase: LAPD involved in two dramatic crashes; Mercedes G-Wagon stolen - Video 31 workers rescued from Los Angeles tunnel collapse L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn assured that every worker was brought to safety, and there were no visible injuries among the 31 workers. The workers had to scale a heap of soil approximately 12-15 feet high so that they could scurry out of the tunnel's collapsing part. 'I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped,' Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared in a post on X. 'Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.'s true heroes.' 'The City of Los Angeles has mobilized resources to the tunnel collapse in Wilmington. More than 100 LAFD responders have been deployed, including Urban Search and Rescue teams. Thank you to all of those who are acting immediately to respond to this emergency,' Bass said in another post. The accident took place almost 6 miles into the tunnel, making rescue very difficult. This was the only source of entry miles away in the collapse point, miles underground, at about 450 feet beneath the ground. Flatiron Dragados is building a 7-mile-long and 18-foot-wide tunnel as part of L.A. County's work to modernise the old wastewater system. The Clearwater Project will replace the tunnels that were constructed in 1937 and 1958 and have been in use. ALSO READ| Wilmington tunnel collapse update: At least 31 workers rescued in Los Angeles The L.A. County Sanitation District documents from July 2024 noted the work on the tunnel was to be completed by April 2025, and the entire project completion was estimated by 2027. The new tunnel was to open up by January 2028.y January 2028.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Los Angeles tunnel collapse traps 31 workers, all rescued by firefighters
Emergency crews rushed to Wilmington on Wednesday evening after part of an underground tunnel collapsed and trapped 31 construction workers. The incident took place at the site of the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel, which is part of the county's Clearwater Project. Everyone safe after tense rescue According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the trapped workers managed to climb over a 12 to 15-foot pile of dirt to escape. Thankfully, none of the 31 workers were hurt during the collapse. It took about an hour to bring everyone to safety. A TUNNEL has collapsed in Los Angela's trapping around 20 peopleThis is the Dragados Mining and Boring Co A major collapse has occurred with between 18-28 workers attempting to be rescued by LAFD#Wilmington #California Mayor Karen Bass praised the firefighters on X, writing, 'Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.'s true heroes.' County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents the area, confirmed the rescue shortly after the incident. Massive emergency response Over 100 responders were deployed, including all of LAFD's Urban Search and Rescue teams. The collapse reportedly happened nearly six miles inside the tunnel, far from its only access point on South Figueroa Street. Firefighters had to coordinate efforts deep underground to reach and guide workers back to safety. Tunnel part of $630 million project The tunnel collapse happened at the $630.5 million Clearwater Project, a major public works plan led by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District. Flatiron Dragados, the lead contractor, said the tunnel is around 7 miles long, 18 feet wide, and runs 450 feet below the surface. The tunnel is being built to replace older wastewater pipelines built in 1937 and 1958. Officials had expected to finish tunneling by April 2025 and activate the new tunnel by January 2028. Authorities are now looking into what caused the collapse.
Los Angeles Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
New immigration crackdown sparks fear among public transit riders. Ridership has dropped up to 15%
Reports of federal agents detaining commuters sitting at a bus stop in Pasadena this week have heightened concerns about immigration officials targeting public transportation — a key aspect of city life — in their efforts to carry out deportations across Southern California. For the thousands of Angelenos, many of whom are Latino and rely on the city's vast network of buses and trains to go about their daily lives, the incident in Pasadena has brought a new level of fear and uncertainty for public transportation riders. After June 6, when immigration agents launched a campaign in Los Angeles to find and capture undocumented immigrants, some residents have started to go underground, staying away from work, school, churches and other public venues for fear of being swept up in a raid. Now, as many attempt to resume their daily routines, buses and trains have become yet another place to fear. There has been a 10% to 15% decline in bus and rail ridership since immigration enforcement activities began, according to Metro officials. 'The way that ICE is going about these sweeps is terrifying people,' Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement on Wednesday. 'This isn't right. The fear they are spreading is doing profound harm in our communities.' While rumors have swirled online about immigration officials' presence at bus stops and along rail lines for weeks, the most visible example happened early Wednesday when a group of masked immigration officers approached two men sitting at a bus stop outside the Winchell's Donut House on Los Robles Avenue in Pasadena. After a brief conversation, an officer is seen on video handcuffing one of the men. Officials said a total of six Pasadena residents were detained. The bus stop for Route 662, roughly a block away from an elementary school, is near several Latino businesses in an area of the city known for Mexican eateries. Workers in the area frequently grab coffee and breakfast at the doughnut shop before heading to work. The incident was witnessed and videotaped by several people in the area. Another video of the incident showed a witness bending down behind an unmarked vehicle — reportedly belonging to federal agents — trying to get a photo of the license plate. The footage shows a masked man exit the driver's side and rush toward the back of the vehicle, pointing a gun at the witness who retreated quickly to the sidewalk. 'Leave our city!' one resident screamed at the masked man. As other witnesses started to approach the vehicle with their phones out, the driver activated the car's lights and siren and sped off. While the early morning sweep was just one of several that immigration officials carried out in Pasadena on Wednesday, the arrests and viral video drew vocal criticism. 'This is lawlessness,' state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra) said of the raid in a video statement on X. 'This is completely inappropriate. This is an incredibly dangerous way to operate. Somebody is going to get seriously hurt ...' Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), whose district includes Pasadena, called the situation 'outrageous.' 'These raids in my district are absolutely vile. Masked and armed like a militia, they're terrorizing families and destroying any sense of safety in our communities. This is not law enforcement it's a gross abuse of power, and I will not stand for it,' Chu wrote in a statement. Pasadena public information officer Lisa Derderian said city officials are still trying to determine who got out of the unmarked car and pointed the gun since a search of the license plate by the city came up empty and no identification could be seen in footage. The situation prompted the city to increase its law enforcement presence outside schools and around bus stops, she said. 'We have an obligation to protect our community. Obviously, we don't want too heavy of a presence to look like we are coordinating or interfering with any federal enforcement. But again, we do have an obligation to protect,' Derderian said. Many rail and bus riders use public transit out of necessity and may not have access to alternative transportation, said Michael Schneider of the Streets for All advocacy group. A 2023 Metro survey showed that more than 60% of bus riders and roughly 50% of rail riders are Latinx/Hispanic. And nearly 90% of bus riders and more than 70% of rail riders' annual household income is less than $50,000. 'For most people that ride Metro … the household income is extremely low,' Schneider said. 'They are riding the bus because that is the way they get to and from work, and that's the way they get around. They don't have a car at home, they don't have another option.' Metro has been working to build back public trust and grow ridership following a spate of violence on bus and trains in recent years. Employees and regulars at Union Station said on Thursday that they have noticed a slight downturn in foot traffic in recent weeks. 'There's less passengers than normal,' said Johnathan Aros, a security guard at the station. 'I wouldn't say it's significant, but it's different.' Hahn, who also serves as the Metro board chair, asked Metro staff on Wednesday to report back to the board about the agency's protocols if immigration agents board a bus or a train. Earlier this year, as immigration enforcement grew across the country, Hahn directed Metro staff to partner with L.A. County's Office of Immigration Affairs and amplify ongoing 'Know Your Rights' campaigns to support immigrant riders and inform them of their protections when dealing with law enforcement. 'Now more than ever, it is essential that our public transit system serves as a safe and inclusive space for everyone,' Hahn wrote in a letter to Metro Chief Executive Stephanie Wiggins. 'Sharing critical information and campaigns that educate our riders about their rights, specifically in relation to ICE and law enforcement interactions, is a powerful tool that could help alleviate the anxiety that many of our immigrant communities are experiencing.' On Thursday morning, as the Metro bus cruised over the L.A. River toward downtown — where widespread protests and immigration raids erupted earlier this month — riders wearing various retail and food service uniforms sat silently staring straight ahead. A quiet tension on the nearly full bus was palpable. A Boyle Heights woman riding the bus said she's grown more weary of public transportation since the raids began, but like many others she's left with few options to get to work. 'Some people are scared, but they have to work,' said the woman, who asked that she not be identified because she's concerned she'll be targeted by immigration officials. 'There's work no matter what.' Yomara Oxlha, who works at a general store in Boyle Heights across from a bus stop, said a quiet distrust of public services had spread in the community. 'I've seen videos of bus drivers saying that ICE is inside [buses],' Oxlha said. 'Let's say if I'm an immigrant, and [ICE] goes inside supermarkets, they go inside the buses, the trains and they go inside stores … I wouldn't feel comfortable going out at all.' Oxlha said Boyle Heights has been quiet since the raids began on June 6. Now, left with few alternatives to support their families, many have started to fearfully resume their schedules. Sophia, a Boyle's Height resident, waited patiently on Thursday at the bus stop she has taken nearly every day for years. The woman, who declined to provide her last name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, told The Times in Spanish that she's become more acutely aware of her surroundings. For nearly a week, Sophia hesitated to leave her home and her family has lived in a constant state of uncertainty. But now, she must finally get back to her normal schedule, she said. 'The fear of going out to look for a dream is now a nightmare,' Sophia said in Spanish. 'It's very sad this is all happening.' Staff writer Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report.
Korea Herald
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Now Boarding: Metro's LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Officially Opens, Connecting Communities; Bringing Faster, Easier Travel for Angelenos, Visitors
New Station Sets Stage for Metro, Los Angeles to Welcome World to FIFA World Cup 2026 ™, Super Bowl LXI, 2028 Olympic, Paralympic Games LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) celebrated the official opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center station with a ribbon-cutting today. Metro is now ready to welcome global fans headed to Los Angeles for major events, such as FIFA World Cup 26™, Super Bowl LXI, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games forever changing how car-centric Angelenos travel to and from LAX. "The wait is over, Los Angeles," said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor, Janice Hahn. "At long last, we are getting a train to LAX. And when the Automated People Mover finally opens, we will truly have an international airport that connects people from inside the terminals to the world beyond through Metro." The grand opening of this station marks the eighth project completed in Metro's ambitious Twenty-Eight by '28 initiative, a comprehensive plan to enhance the region's transit infrastructure in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station is poised to play a crucial role in facilitating the movement of athletes, officials, and spectators during these global events. The state-of-the-art transit center embodies a large-scale open station concept. With continuous swooping canopies guiding users' views through large open spaces, the station reinforces intuitive wayfinding and walking access to buses and light rail trains, and the soon-to-be-opened Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Automated People Mover (APM). "The opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center is a major step forward in how we prepare Los Angeles to welcome the world. This is about more than bringing people to and from the airport — it's about building a more connected, reliable and climate-conscious city for Angelenos and for the millions who will visit in the years ahead," said LA Mayor Karen Bass and Metro Board Member. "I want to congratulate LA Metro for this accomplishment and look forward to their continued partnership." Located at Aviation Blvd./96 th St., the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station signifies the K line is a fully functional connection in Metro's network. Connecting Metro's C and K rail lines, six Metro bus lines and eight municipal bus lines, including Beach Cities, Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus, GTrans, Torrance Transit and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) shuttles to and from the terminals. Metro Micro will also service this station. By providing a direct connection to regional transit, the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station expands options for airport-area employees and travelers, and decreases reliance on more costly options, such as taxis, rideshares or private vehicles. "Not only is LAX one of the busiest airports in the world, it's also an important job center for Angelenos, particularly for residents of South Los Angeles," said Holly Mitchell, LA County Supervisor and Metro Board Member. "The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will serve an important role for visitors, residents, and our vital airport-area employees." The new station illustrates for Angelenos and the world that public transportation is the secret to bypassing traffic on their way to and from LAX, and that Metro, with one of the most ambitious capital project programs in the United States, is a reliable and comfortable way to travel across the county. Featuring a bus plaza, bike hub and a customer service center, the station spans more than 1,100 feet from north to south. With the widest light rail platform in the Metro system, its two main levels provide a welcoming, convenient and secure connection point offering riders access to a wide array of destinations throughout LA County. In addition, this station features security coverage monitored 24/7 by security operations staff. As part of Metro's commitment to sustainable urban planning, the station also includes numerous environmentally friendly features such as energy-efficient lighting, landscaping with native plants, and plans for further expansion to accommodate future growth. This project represents Metro's on-going efforts to enhance regional mobility, support green infrastructure, and prepare Los Angeles for the future. When the APM opens and connects to Metro in 2026, Angelenos and visitors alike will have a more direct, easier connection to Metro's public transportation system, with a total of six stops – three in the terminal, one at the Metro/LAX Transit Center Station, one at economy parking and one at the Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) which is directly across the street from the transit center. As riders await access to the APM, LAWA will provide shuttles every 10 minutes. The shuttle's schedule will be based on the operating schedules for the C and K light rail lines and municipal bus routes serving the new station ensuring seamless travel to and from the airport helping to alleviate traffic congestion around LAX. "For more than half a century, Angelenos have been dreaming about a rail connection to LAX airport – and that day has finally come. Our LAX/Metro Transit Center Station not only enhances the travel experience for millions of visitors to Los Angeles but also serves as a key piece of our ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable and efficient transportation network for our city," said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. "We look forward to welcoming millions of Angelenos and visitors to the LAX/Metro Transit Center in the coming months and years, and we can't wait for the final link in the chain – LAX's People Mover." This station features towering artwork at the center of the station, by Los Angeles native and internationally renowned artist Glenn Kaino, The Distance of the Sun, which welcomes visitors to the arts and cultural capital of the nation. Commissioned by Metro Art, the suspended sculpture consists of a series of vessels for travel, both real and imagined, rafted together in increasing size to create a spiral pathway towards the sky above. The work is a meditation on collective ambitions and shared hope, acting as a bridge to the future created from the designs of the past. For additional information about the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station please visit For more information about Metro Art, visit Additional Quotes "The long-awaited LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will provide a crucial transportation hub that connects Metro's rail system to LAX, the world's seventh busiest airport," said Fernando Dutra, Whittier Council Member and Metro Board First Vice Chair. "We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to upcoming major events and providing them with convenient, affordable and sustainable transit to and from LAX." "The opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station marks a transformative moment for Inglewood and the greater Los Angeles area. This state-of-the-art facility not only enhances connectivity to the airport but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth and urban revitalization," said James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood and Metro Board Member. "Many in our community and surrounding region work every day at LAX and can now commute today through quality transit. Making this critical connection to LAX means reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, and greater access to opportunities. It's a testament to our commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future for all residents." "Today's LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opening is a testimony of promises made that are being kept --- to Los Angeles and the surrounding neighborhoods. The value added is the connection of residents to economic opportunities, educational institutions and essential services that will help to redefine 'transit dependency' to include those who 'choose' to 'Go Metro'", said Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Metro Board Second Vice Chair. "Thank you to all who can and will partner with LA Metro in reducing congestion and enhancing mobility. This project is evidence of seamless envisioning by servant leaders on the LA Metro board, in partnership with the community who entrust us to uplift all Angelenos." "The opening of the LAX Metro Transit Center Station marks a monumental step in connecting LAX and the world to the greater Los Angeles region," said John Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. "After four years of dedicated effort by Metro under the leadership of CEO Stephanie Wiggins, this project is finally complete — delivering a crucial transportation hub that will transform how Angelenos and travelers navigate to and from the airport via the future LAX Automated People Mover. LAWA is grateful for Metro's partnership in advancing our shared vision of a more connected Los Angeles." About Metro The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly 1 million boardings daily on four light rail and two subway lines and 119 bus lines utilizing 2,000 low-emission buses.
