IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers EYESORE—Disputes with two different contractors have delayed a sewer line project on Los Angeles Avenue near Madera Road. "Was it my imagination or did I read last year in the Acorn that the construction mess in the right lane on Los Angeles Avenue at Socrates would be done soon? The equipment and orange cones are everywhere, very unsightly and inconvenient and they've been there for what seems like years now. . . . It seems like months go by with no work being done, like it's a storage area for equipment. I actually have never seen anyone working there. When can we expect closure and cleanup?"

—Linda, Simi Valley

The City Council hired a new contractor last week to finish the Los Angeles Avenue sewer line rehabilitation project that's been causing traffic delays in the west end of Simi for almost a year.

Work on the site began Tuesday and the project should be completed by the end of March, said Ron Fuchiwaki, director of public works. The estimated cost to complete the sewer project is nearly $850,000.

The construction is part of the sewer line repair projects off Madera Road, Los Angeles Avenue and Lysander Avenue, which began at the end of summer 2007 and received attention last February when the contractor hired for the multimillion-dollar sanitation project was fired.

City officials said the Los Angelesbased contractor, Colich Construction, failed to perform the work in compliance with the plans and specifications. While the company did complete some of the work, the portion of Los Angeles Avenue between Madera and Sinaloa roads remains unfinished.

Legal issues held up the project for months but it seemed to be back on track last August when the city negotiated an agreement with the contractor's bonding and insurance company to take over and complete the work.

At that time, Fuchiwaki expected the sewer repairs to be done by November. However, the bonding company also failed to complete the project.

"There were issues between the bonding company, their contract management company, the contractor they used and the city that seemed to drag on with no resolution," Fuchiwaki said. "It was apparent to us that the bonding company could not perform or adhere to the agreement that was made."

As a result, the city terminated its contract with the bonding company Jan. 16 and has awarded a contract to complete the project to a joint venture between Vido Artukovich & Son, Inc. and Vidmar, Inc.

The South El Monte-based Artukovich was chosen because of its extensive experience with emergency sewer rehabilitation in the Greater Los Angeles area, a staff report said.

Fuchiwaki said the work to be finished includes sliding a new sewer pipe into the existing pipe between Simi Village Drive and Madera Road.

Current conditions at the site have left the street and the sewer system open and vulnerable to damage in the event of an earthquake or flooding. The torn-up street and exposed sewer line is also a hazard to public safety, Fuchiwaki said.

"It's just an undesirable situation and hopefully our new contractor will resolve this in a very timely manner."

The city has continued to receive complaints from residents about traffic caused by project delays on that stretch of Los Angeles Avenue.

"Obviously, that is one of the key reasons that we brought in a contractor as quickly as possible and are trying to move forward as quickly as possible," Fuchiwaki said.

Editor's note: "What's up with that?" is a new Acorn series dedicated to shining light on issues residents see around town. If you have an idea for a future installment, e-mail simi@theacorn.com and we'll see what we can find out.