South Bay communities are advancing toward relief from toxic air pollution as the California Coastal Commission approved a culvert extension project at the Tijuana River's Saturn Boulevard crossing, and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission outlined a timeline for near-zero dry-weather river flow by late 2027.
- The culvert project will extend two pipes below the river surface to eliminate turbulence that releases hydrogen sulfide gas, affecting 11 nearby schools. - Funding comes from $46 million in Proposition 4 grants announced by Governor Newsom.
- USIBWC aims to achieve near-zero dry-weather flow by late 2027, contingent on repairs to Mexican pump station PB1 and the Parallel Gravity Line. - Community advocates criticized the agency's transparency and noted hydrogen sulfide levels exceeded 900 parts per billion at Berry Elementary School last week.
The project is expected to be completed by spring/summer 2027, pending multiple agency approvals, while USIBWC plans a community roundtable in mid-July.