On June 1, 2005 a landslide in Laguna Beach’s Bluebird Canyon destroyed 12 homes and damaged another seven homes adjacent to the slide. Steve Bubalo Construction Company was working on another project for the City of Laguna Beach and offered to assist with the initial restoration of utilities damaged by the landslide. Once the initial cleanup was completed, Steve Bubalo Construction was contracted to complete repairs associated with the landslide, including excavation, backfill, and compaction to stabilize the perimeter of the slide, replacing the destroyed underground water, and sewer systems, installing a new storm drain, and lastly, removing the landslide material.

The landslide filled a canyon below the housing development in Laguna Beach, in effect damming up the natural water drainage path. An adjacent portion of Bluebird Canyon experienced a similar landslide in the late 70s.

(Above Left) Backfilled and compacted area at the lower limits of the landslide. (Above Middle) Steel beams were used as supports during the early phases of the project. (Above Right) The shoring wall at the landslide headscarp. (Below) A Volvo A35D.

John says that he chose to
use Volvo articulating haulers on this project because they can maneuver in a tight space and they have the stability and power to work on the sloped area of the canyon. He also says that this equipment is quieter, which is a factor with the surrounding homes.  Steve Bubalo Construction has four Volvo A35D and A40D articulating haulers onsite, as well as a Komatsu 1100 excavator. The Volvo trucks are from Mathews Machinery. Caterpillar manufactures the support equipment they are using, including an 824C
Wheel Dozer and 365BL and 330CL Excavators.

Another challenge, according to John, was not knowing exactly what geological formations were underneath the slide area until they actually exposed them. This meant that the overall plan for removing the slide had to remain flexible.

Steve Bubalo Construction has worked closely with the City of Laguna Beach’s project manager, Craig Greenman of The Moote Group, to put together a viable repair plan.

The slide area covered approximately seven acres. When completed with the project, Steve Bubalo Construction will have moved in excess of 600,000 cubic yards of material. Steve Bubalo’s contract is approximately $12 million, and the entire project is estimated at $20-22 million. The project is scheduled to be completed in Spring, 2007.

The final result of the project will be that all the homes destroyed along Flamingo Road will be able to be rebuilt. The slope of the canyon will be flatter than before, and there will now be a manmade storm drain for water runoff.

The project team has worked well together to address the challenges of this unique project.  Heading up the work for Steve Bubalo Construction Company are Project Superintendent Juan Reyes and John. The Moote Group’s Craig Greenman is the City’s Project Manger. Geofirm is the geological consultant for the City, with lead geologists Hannes Richter and Kevin Trigg. Zamborelli Drilling Enterprises completed the shoring walls.  Bob Burnham is the Community Recovery Coordinator for the City of Laguna Beach and the liaison with the affected residents.

John says that this project is a medium size job for Steve Bubalo Construction Company, as far as contract amount. Some of their larger jobs have included the installation of 25,000 lineal feet of 78-inch diameter welded steel water line and the installation of 144-inch storm drains.

Steve Bubalo Construction, whose office is in Monrovia, completes general engineering specialty projects in public works throughout Southern California. Challenges for the company over the years include working with changing subsurface soil conditions, high ground water levels, and working on major city streets with high traffic volumes.

John feels that many factors set Steve Bubalo Construction apart from its competitors. The company has a quality workforce, with many of the employees being with the company for 15-25 years. That workforce loyalty and commitment contributes to outstanding work quality, which John feels, is their number one asset.

“Our people are proud of what they do,” John says.  “They are conscious of the people they are working with and around. 

“We are also very concerned about the safety of our work environment,” he continues. “We work well as a team. Our company’s owners are very supportive of completing work in a safe, professional, and efficient manner.

“We’ve developed strong working relationships with many agencies,” he says.  “If you do quality work, they want you back on their next project.”

For more information call (626) 574-7570. Cc

(Above) The devastation right after the landslide.
(Above Right) A Volvo articulated truck dumping
slide material at the stockpile. (Below) Steve Bubalo
Construction Company’s Komatsu 1100 loading the Volvo Trucks.