Ridley-Thomas wants further study of proposed Crenshaw corridor (Source: 89.3 KPCC)

Ridley-Thomas wants further study of proposed Crenshaw corridor | 89.3 KPCC

Ridley-Thomas wants further study of proposed Crenshaw corridor

Dec. 8, 2009 | KPCC Wire Services
County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today urged the MTA to build additional sections of the Crenshaw-LAX light rail track underground, citing a negative impact on schools and black-owned businesses.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is scheduled to vote Thursday on the $1.7 billion Crenshaw-LAX Transit Corridor study. Ridley-Thomas is an MTA board member as well as a county supervisor.

The one-mile section of the light rail line in question is a block away from Crenshaw High School and would run in front of View Park Prep School, according to community activist Damien Goodmon. He adds that 200 parking spaces serving black-owned businesses would need to be removed to accommodate the trains at street level.

MTA staff has recommended a light-rail train instead of a bus system and set out several parameters. The proposed 8.5-mile line would link the Expo Line at Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards to the Metro Green Line near Los Angeles International Airport.

Ridley-Thomas offered a motion in advance of the meeting asking the board to further study whether the portion of the rail system to be built on Crenshaw Boulevard between 48th and 59th streets should be constructed below ground.

The track north of 48th Street and south of 59th Street is already recommended to be built underground.

"If MTA can spend the money for 13 miles of subway for Wilshire, surely we can get just three miles of subway for Crenshaw,'' Goodmon said.

Once the MTA board approves an alternative, work will begin on a final environmental impact report for the project.