August 4, 2025

San Pedro, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker are inviting the public to a town hall to discuss the Clearwater Tunnel Project after a partial collapse occurred under San Pedro last month.

“We are all grateful that none of the workers were seriously hurt and that everyone made it home safely,” said Supervisor Hahn. “But we know this incident has raised real concerns for residents. Many feel they don’t have enough information about this project, and they want to know what is being done to keep the workers and our community safe. This town hall is an opportunity to get answers directly from the Sanitation District.”

“The collapse of a portion of the Clearwater Tunnel was a serious incident, and I’m incredibly grateful that all of the workers were safely evacuated. Thanks to proper emergency training and the quick action of the workers and first responders, a tragedy was avoided,” said Councilmember McOsker. “Now, the community deserves clear descriptions of causes, proposed repairs, and potential impacts. Supervisor Hahn and I are committed to full transparency, which is why we are holding a town hall so residents can hear directly from project leaders and ask the important questions they need answered.”

The Clearwater Project is a $630 million, 7-mile tunnel stretching from Carson through San Pedro is designed to replace two aging sewer tunnels that serve more than 5 million people in Los Angeles County. The project, which began in 2019 and is expected to finish in 2027, is critical for preventing overflows, protecting water quality, and ensuring the sewer system can withstand earthquakes.

On July 9, construction crews experienced a partial collapse at the 5-mile mark of the tunnel. All 31 workers were able to exit safely, although several were treated for minor injuries. Both of Supervisor Hahn and Councilmember McOsker requested investigations into the incident and construction has been halted.

The town hall will take place Saturday, August 9, at 10 a.m. at the Dalmatian American Club in San Pedro. Supervisor Hahn, Councilmember McOsker, and Robert Ferrante, Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, will be present to provide updates and answer questions from the community.