Roundup of Rail Developments in South LA

Article 1

Link: Streetsblog Los Angeles » Metro Moves Forward on Harbor Subdivision, Crenshaw Corridor, Hybrid Alternative for Route 2 Terminus and Gating for the Eastside Extension

Metro Moves Forward on Harbor Subdivision, Crenshaw Corridor, Hybrid Alternative for Route 2 Terminus and Gating for the Eastside Extension

by Damien Newton on December 10, 2009
Going north on Indiana on the way to First Street.

Earlier today the Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved the light rail alternative for the Crenshaw Corridor and agreed to study making the light rail run underground for a dozen blocks between 48th and 59th street over the plans of the Metro staff. According to a press release, "The light rail alternative will be 8.5 miles in length from the Metro Green Line Aviation Station to the Expo Line, now under construction, at Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards, with a travel time estimated at 20 minutes. There will be seven new stations plus an option for one more. The final Environment Impact Study/Environment Impact Report could be ready by the end of 2010, with the line scheduled to open in 2018."

The vote today followed a mobilization of the community activists for the light rail option, as opposed to the BRT option, since alternatives for the line were first being discussed. Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has been actively pushing for the light rail option since his election last year and today's vote can only be construed as a victory for his efforts. However, just because the underground alignment is being studied doesn't mean that it will be in the final design, but it would head off another prolonged battle between Metro and the South L.A. Community over a light rail line.

The Crenshaw Corridor Light Rail line wasn't the only rail line to move forward. The Board also voted to move forward with an extension of Metro Green Line rail service to the proposed Torrance Regional Transit Center in the South Bay area of the region. The study of bringing transit to the twenty six mile freight rail corridor is in a much earlier phase than the Crenshaw Corridor. At this point there is no "opening" date for the project.

The Board also voted to move forward on quad gates for segments of the Gold Line Eastside Extension. After Metro staff and Board members swore up and down that the line was safe when it opened last month, a car was hit by a light rail car over Thanksgiving weekend and two girls walked into cars claiming they were confused by the crossing signals.

After listening to a parade of speakers berate the Board for pushing the Gold Line Eastside Extension's opening before all safety precautions could be taken, Mayor Villaraigosa chimed in wondering why a full Environmental Impact Review was necessary just to install barrier gates. It turns out the quad gates would cause several intersections to get a failing grade because of the traffic congestion that it would create.

However, Villaraigosa, Councilman Jose Huizar and Supervisor Gloria Molina devised a plan to work on a declaration of "no significant impact" for the gate installation that could take less time than an EIR. Just in case the environmental researchers reach the conclusion that there is a significant impact, Metro will be moving forward with an environmental review at the same time.

Noting that even a finding of "no significant impact" would still take a lot of time, Molina joked that they should just find a billionaire in the City of Industry to get the legislature to pass a law allowing Metro to do whatever they want. When Board Chair Ara Najarian asked her if she knew any, she joked that she heard the Mayor had some contacts.

Briefly, the Board also voted to approve the "hybrid" option for the Route 2 Terminus Project, support minority businesses in the Crenshaw Corridor and the Mayor's vision to move and empowered the staff to reach an agreement with Caltrans to widen the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass.

Article 2

Link: MTA approves South L.A.-South Bay light-rail line -- latimes.com

MTA approves South L.A.-South Bay light-rail line
Some officials and residents, worried that problems encountered by other lines could be repeated on the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project, want more of it built underground.
By Ari B. Bloomekatz

December 11, 2009
A new light-rail system through South Los Angeles and the South Bay was approved by transit officials Thursday, but some local politicians and residents worry that the rail line could pose similar problems that have hampered other projects.

The 8 1/2 -mile line is the biggest beneficiary to date of Measure R, the half-cent sales tax for transportation projects that L.A. County voters approved last year.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said Measure R revenues would provide most of the estimated $1.7 billion needed for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project, which would pay for a relatively bare-bones version of the line. But some residents and officials want more of the line underground, saying that it would reduce accidents, ease community concerns and speed up the line.

The MTA has grappled with this issue before.

The Gold Line Eastside extension was criticized by one of its biggest backers, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, because it is mostly at street level, where, she says, it could pose a risk for drivers and pedestrians.

The Gold Line from downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena is also mostly above ground, and it has struggled to attract riders in part because the numerous at-grade crossings make it a relatively slow ride.

The Crenshaw line would provide commuter rail service to a part of the county that is now served exclusively by buses.

The line would run from Exposition Boulevard to Imperial Highway, following Crenshaw Boulevard and passing through Leimert Park and Southwest L.A. before veering southwest through Inglewood and south to Aviation Boulevard near Los Angeles International Airport.

Officials said they hope to break ground on the project in 2012 or 2013 and open the line in 2018. Some believe the line could be open as early as 2016.

"It's a huge victory for the Crenshaw community and the South Bay community," Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said. "I expect it will have a highly positive impact on the quality of life in that corridor."

Still, Ridley-Thomas said, he is fighting to get more of the Crenshaw line built underground. He said the Expo Line, now being built between downtown and Culver City, is facing delays in part because of safety improvements required where the train will pass some schools.

"I do not want this to be haunted by the ghosts of the Expo Line," he said, adding that the MTA is going to study building an additional segment on Crenshaw Boulevard between 48th and 59th Streets underground.

Building underground is much more expensive than at street level, and officials said they don't know where the money for Ridley-Thomas' plans would come from.

The line's project manager, Roderick Diaz, said, "There is currently no budget to cover that" nor is there sufficient funding for some other "big ticket items" included in some of the possible designs.

Ridley-Thomas estimated that the project would need about $400 million in extra funds to build the line as he would like, and said he is going to Washington, D.C., in the near future to speak with members of Congress about other sources of funding.

Officials said the rail line would provide a critical north-south route for commuters between downtown L.A. and the Westside.

Right now, the only north-south rail line south of downtown is the Blue Line, which goes to Long Beach.

The Crenshaw line, planners say, also would make it possible to get to more places by rail, because the line would connect to the Expo Line (service to downtown and the Westside) and Green Line ( service from Norwalk to Redondo Beach).

Officials also hope that the line might take some motorists off the 405 and 110 freeways.

ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com

Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times

Article 3

Light Rail Chosen for Route Between Exposition Blvd. and LAX - LAist

Light Rail Chosen for Route Between Exposition Blvd. and LAX



The Metro Board of Directors today approved using light rail on the 8.5-mile Crenshaw route between LAX and Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards. Other options included doing nothing, beefing up current bus service in the area and developing a bus rapid transit system that would begin at Wilshire Boulevard.

The $1.3 billion project could be completed as early as 2018 with construction expected to begin in either 2012 or 2013. Its terminus at LAX will be the current Green Line Aviation station, meaning getting to the actual airport is still a shuttle bus away. The other terminus will be Crenshaw and Exposition, home to a future Expo Line station, which could be in operation by the end of 2010.

Next steps include studying an underground portion between 48th and 59th streets and finding a space for the rail maintenance yard.

By Zach Behrens in News on December 10, 2009 3:35 PM

Article 4

Let There Be Light Rail | NBC Los Angeles

Let There Be Light Rail
...and it was good.
Updated 6:27 PM PST, Thu, Dec 10, 2009



The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board of directors unanimously approved Thursday a $1.3 billion light rail transit project for the 8.5-mile corridor from Crenshaw to LAX.

"This is a long-awaited outcome," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, noting proposals for the transit corridor were first brought up 25 years ago.

"This project is long overdue and will provide congestion relief, improve air quality and serve as an economic catalyst," said Ridley-Thomas, who is also an MTA board member. "It helps bring a more rational and equitable transportation plan for the county of Los Angeles, and it means 7,800 new jobs."

The vote prompted cheers from hundreds of south Los Angeles residents who packed the Metro boardroom and two overflow rooms.

The light rail line would run through the cities of Los Angeles, Inglewood, Hawthorne, El Segundo and unincorporated areas of the county before ending at LAX.

At Ridley-Thomas' urging, the Metro board during a previous meeting moved up the timeline for the project, so that completion is expected between 2016 and 2018 -- instead of 2029.

Construction is to begin in 2012, pending results of the final environmental impact report due in late 2010.

This would be the first major transportation project to relieve congestion on the San Diego (405) and Harbor (110) freeways and other north-south arteries in western Los Angeles County.

It would also provide a major connection to LAX, connecting the Metro Green Line to the south with the proposed LAX Automated People Mover System and the Expo Line to the north.

The project would provide connection to the entire Metro Rail system and Metro's more than 2,000 peak-hour buses.

Funding will come from Measure R, the half-cent sales tax initiative approved by L.A. County voters last November to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and spur economic development.

The Metro board agreed to examine the cost of building a one-mile segment of the light rail line underground on Crenshaw Boulevard between 48th and 59th streets.

Article 5

Metro to Study Extending Green Line as far as Torrance - LAist

Metro to Study Extending Green Line as far as Torrance



In addition to approving light rail for the Crenshaw corridor to LAX, the Metro Board today approved moving forward with another step for the Harbor Subdivsion right-of-way between LAX and Long Beach.

The move puts a 4.6-mile portion of the transit corridor into an environmental impact report process, which means staff will study a variety of options such as light rail, bus rapid transit, beefing up current bus service in the area and doing nothing. Expect public meeting to be scheduled in 2010 for input on this.

Metro will be considering a couple different route options into Redondo Beach or Torrance where each city is building a transportation center.

One will be using the right-of-way from the LAX/Aviation Station. If chosen, you likely won't be seeing light rail, but rather different train technology that can use old freight train tracks with upgrades under federal guidelines. It would cost an estimated $428 million and see approximately 3,300 daily riders.

The other route option is to continue the Green Line from the Marine Station further into Redondo Beach or Torrance. It would cost an estimated $495 million and see approximately 5,800 daily riders.

Although the Metro-owned Harbor Subdivision right-of-way goes all the way to the Carson-Long Beach border via the Los Angeles community of Harbor Gateway, the current study will not include going beyond Torrance. "We're looking at phased implementation," explained Renee Berlin, an Executive Officer in Metro's planning department, over the phone. "Measure R only included funds for the South Bay Extension."

To continue the route further, Metro would need to secure other funding in addition to updating the recently approved 30-year long range plan, which doesn't include a phase two.

The board also renamed the project to the South Bay Green Line Extension from the Harbor Subdivision.

By Zach Behrens in News on December 10, 2009 5:15 PM