Caltrans puts up fences to deter illegal dumping in SFV, Pasadena

Caltrans on Tuesday announced the completion of a $1.3 million project in the north San Fernando Valley and Pasadena that installed new fences to combat illegal dumping, bolster litter collection and remove graffiti.

Via the Clean California initiative, “more durable and visually appealing fencing” is now up along stretches of the Golden State (5) Freeway, Interstate 210 and the 118 Freeway, according to Caltrans.

“These fencing improvements capture the vision of Clean California by improving infrastructure in both form and function,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said in a statement. “Protecting freeway access and roadside cleanliness from illegal dumping lifts community spirit and provides a better transportation experience for everyone.” 

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative is a $1.2 billion, multiyear clean-up effort that directs Caltrans to remove trash and “transform and beautify public spaces,” officials said.

Eight locations received new fencing:

• Sylmar — along the northbound 5 Freeway at Hubbard Street and near the I-210 interchange;

• Arleta — along I-5 on the southbound side of Paxton Street;

• Pacoima — along the 118 Freeway from eastbound Dronefield Avenue to Foothill Boulevard;

• Lake View Terrace — along the 210 Freeway at eastbound Foothill Boulevard; and

• Pasadena — at three locations along the 210: eastbound Washington Boulevard, eastbound Claremont Street and eastbound Hammond Street.

“I’m very pleased that this project benefits the traveling public and several underserved communities by enhancing neighborhood connectivity and aesthetics,” Gloria Roberts, director of Caltrans District 7, said in a statement. “This includes improving the visual quality of the communities, preventing unsafe freeway access, and reducing litter and graffiti.”

Clean California funding has gone to 319 projects statewide since July 2021, according to Caltrans. The projects help improve “public spaces, tribal lands, parks, neighborhoods, transit centers, walking paths, streets, roadsides, recreation fields, community gathering spots, and places of cultural importance or historical interest in underserved communities.”

Caltrans estimated that the initiative, driven by local volunteers, has picked up 2.3 million cubic yards of trash — which would fill approximately 700 Olympic-size swimming pools. That’s a 760% increase compared with previous Caltrans efforts to collect litter.

California’s transportation agency has hosted more than 500 free dump days in communities statewide that has collected more than 12,000 mattresses and nearly 50,000 tires, officials reported. Clean California has drawn more than 10,000 volunteers to community clean-up events and created 15,000 jobs that include positions for individuals who were incarcerated, on probation or at risk of becoming homeless.

More information on Clean California is online at cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/.