Information attained via email from Clearwater Project spokesperson.

Clearwater Project Update

October 28, 2025

Rescue and recovery operations to gain entry into the Clearwater Tunnel to inspect and determine the status of our tunnel boring machine are expected to continue for many weeks. Permission to re-enter our tunnel to conduct inspections and repairs is under the authority of the State of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), better known as Cal/OSHA.

As of this last week of October, several drilling attempts to verify the geology have been made, or are in progress, on Western Avenue, just west of Weymouth Avenue. Commuters will notice traffic control in the southbound lanes to allow drilling to continue. This work is expected to last for several weeks from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9AM and 3PM. Drilling activity may last through the end of the year depending on weather and drilling conditions. Some Saturday drilling may be necessary to help expedite the process and will be posted and communicated on this page and our Clearwater social media. Drilling in this area is directly above the breach in the tunnel and multiple boreholes are needed in order for engineers to accurately assess the conditions at a depth of approximately 360 feet.

We hope to use cameras and other advanced imaging systems to get an accurate picture of tunnel conditions at this depth. This will allow us to submit our findings to Cal/OSHA in order to gain permission to access the tunnel from its entry point in Carson, which is the only way in or out of the tunnel. We want to make sure all safety concerns are appropriately addressed.

All work at Royal Palms Beach is stopped. The California Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO) is in the process of compiling their findings related to the discovery of indigenous artifacts at this site as a result of digging and preparation work for construction of the Clearwater Tunnel arrival infrastructure. No construction work is currently being performed and there is no timeframe or date set as to when it may resume. Updates or changes will be posted here and our social media channels as soon as they are known.

For more information on this project, visit clearwater.lacsd.org. For questions, please email clearwaterproject@lacsd.org.