L.A. Metro Area Transit: What's Next?

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Five teams vie to build, operate people-mover at LAX

Five teams officially expressed interest in constructing and operating a people-mover at Los Angeles International Airport, officials said Friday.

The teams will next submit proposals detailing how they plan to make the $2.7 billion project happen, and how they would go about operating the people-mover once it has been built, according to Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that operates LAX.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/...ce=most_viewed

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U.S. Judge upholds federal approval of Purple Line Extension project

Some very good news for Metro and the Purple Line Extension subway project arrived on Friday: in a federal lawsuit brought against the Federal Transit Administration, U.S. District Court Judge George Wu upheld the FTA’s prior approval of the project.

What that means in non-legalese: Metro can move forward with finalizing a $1.2-billion federal grant and $307-million federally-backed loan to help pay for the project’s second phase between Wilshire/La Cienega in Beverly Hills and Century City. If Judge Wu had decided to vacate the FTA’s approval, that money could have been delayed or, even worse, lost and the project would have been delayed.

http://thesource.metro.net/2016/08/1...nsion-project/

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California Incline in Santa Monica set to reopen Sept. 1

The California Incline in Santa Monica is scheduled to reopen Sept. 1 — just in time for the Labor Day Weekend.

The beloved landmark — which connects the beach with the bluffs and offers exceptional coastal views — will reopen with a daylong pedestrian party after 17 months of closure.

“Our new California Incline is not only a feat of modern engineering, it’s the fruit of great human effort, sure to be with us for some time to come,” Curtis Castle, a civil engineer with the city’s Public Works Department, said in a prepared statement. “Hundreds of individuals worked on this project day and night for 17 straight months.”

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...nap-story.html

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Subway turnback, Airport Connector receive state cap-and-trade funds

A new transit station that will help passengers quickly reach LAX terminals and a project to allow more frequent Red/Purple Line subway service were awarded a combined $109 million in state cap-and-trade funds, the California State Transportation Agency announced earlier this week.

http://thesource.metro.net/2016/08/1...d-trade-funds/

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Gigantic drill burrowing under Crenshaw reaches its first milestone in this satisfying video

For nearly five months now, a gargantuan drill longer than a football field and as wide as the donut sign sitting atop Randy’s has been digging underneath Crenshaw Boulevard. Nicknamed Harriet, the drill is slowly boring tunnels that will link the first three stations on Metro’s future Crenshaw Line. (She’s even maintaining a surprisingly active Twitter account while doing so.)

Harriet reached a major milestone Monday, her first station break. Harriet has drilled through to the first station on the upcoming light rail line, reports Metro's news blog the Source. Metro has uploaded footage of the machine breaking through the wall at the future Martin Luther King Jr. station, which is at Crenshaw, right next to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza shopping center.

http://la.curbed.com/2016/8/23/12609...-baldwin-hills

[dragonsky]

Photos: Regional Connector construction update

Crews at the 1st/Central Station site have reached the bottom of excavation and work to build the station floor, or invert slab, is now underway. In the photos above you can see some of the struts used to brace opposing walls against each other. This type of excavation support system is best suited for narrow dig sites.

Crews at the 1st/Central Station site have reached the bottom of excavation and work to build the station floor, or invert slab, is now underway. In the photos above you can see some of the struts used to brace opposing walls against each other. This type of excavation support system is best suited for narrow dig sites.

http://thesource.metro.net/2016/09/0...uction-update/

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Fresh pics: Crenshaw/LAX Line construction roundup for September
http://thesource.metro.net/2016/09/0...for-september/

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Metro’s first bike-only on-ramp to San Gabriel River bike path took 11 years, $1 million to build

The paved bikeway plunges into the buckwheat-and-sage-scrub-covered spreading grounds of the San Gabriel River, projecting an unobstructed view of the San Gabriel Mountains beyond the curved, concrete spillway of the Santa Fe Dam.

But the spectacular views are not the new bike path’s only firsts.

The 1.1-mile, $1 million path is the first bike-only on-ramp to the existing 28-mile San Gabriel River bike path stretching north-to-south between the mountains and Long Beach.

It’s also the first car-less bicycle-train connection in Los Angeles County, joining bike rider with train rider at the Metro Gold Line Duarte/City of Hope Station on Duarte Road and Highland Avenue.

“Connecting the Metro Gold Line to 28 miles of the San Gabriel River Bike Trail: that in and of itself is an accomplishment,” said county Supervisor Hilda Solis on Thursday at the trail’s grand opening.

In truth, the bike trail is only half completed. The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation say the first section of the trail from the Gold Line station to the river area is scheduled for completion in 2021, at the earliest.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-ne...llion-to-build

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• Video Link

The new video comes from the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, the agency charged with planning and building the rail extension between Azusa and Montclair. The line, as planned, includes stations in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair and is envisioned as a good transit alternative to the chronically constipated 210 freeway.

http://thesource.metro.net/2016/09/1...-to-montclair/

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Light rail extension to West Hollywood might happen much sooner than planned

The vote on Measure M—a ballot measure that will ask voters to increase the countywide sales tax to fund public transit projects—is just over a month away. A big change is being made that could draw more support from voters in West Hollywood.

According to WEHOville, Metro is moving up its timeline for a possible extension of the forthcoming Crenshaw Line north to the Red Line in Hollywood, a project that would be funded in part with revenue from Measure M, if it passes. The transit agency is now aiming to start construction as early as 2020, much earlier than the pervious plan to start somewhere between 2041 and 2047.

This is great news for West Hollywood. The city has been lobbying Metro hard to get a rail route through its city, one that ideally includes a full swing down Santa Monica Boulevard. It has even brought consultants Fehr & Peers on board to help build its case.

http://la.curbed.com/2016/9/20/12990...ine-extension-

[dragonsky]

Finally: Construction Kicks off for MyFigueroa in October

Last week, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation announced that construction will start in October for the long-awaited makeover of the Figueroa Corridor. The $20-million project will provide a variety of streetscape improvements between Downtown Los Angeles and Exposition Park, including protected bike lanes, new bus platforms and landscaping.

Segments of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 11th Street will also see upgrades under the plan.

Completion of the project is expected in 2017, at which point it will coincide with similar improvements slated for 7th Street.

http://urbanize.la/post/finally-cons...gueroa-october

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Del

[dragonsky]

Latest update on Purple Line subway construction

Above is the latest update on construction of the Purple Line Extension’s first section between Wilshire/Western and the future Wilshire/La Cienega Station in Beverly Hills. There will also be new stations at Wilshire/La Brea and Wilshire/Fairfax, meaning the subway will one day run right up the gut of the Miracle Mile!

In the meantime, decking work continues for the Wilshire/La Brea Station. The decking will allow vehicle traffic to continue flowing on Wilshire Boulevard while the station is excavated underneath. Prep work is beginning for the Wilshire/Fairfax Station. Here a couple pics from work at Wilshire/Fairfax:

http://thesource.metro.net/2016/10/0...-construction/

[dragonsky]

Carnival is set to take over the Spruce Goose dome, expanding its Long Beach cruise facility

The giant white dome that once housed Howard Hughes’ famed Spruce Goose aircraft is getting a new long-term tenant: Carnival Cruise Line, which plans to sail larger ships to Long Beach amid a resurgence in the cruise industry.

Carnival will expand its Long Beach Cruise Terminal operation from 66,000 square feet to 142,000 square feet. It had been using half of the 33-year-old dome but will take over the entire building next year.

Carnival reached its expansion agreement with Urban Commons, a Los Angeles company chosen by Long Beach last year as the leaseholder of the 45-acre Queen Mary complex, which includes the dome, built at a cost of $4 million to hold the Spruce Goose.

Urban Commons, which is proposing to build a $250 million retail and entertainment complex on the site, said in a statement that it will try to “identify alternative areas” for the ice sculpture attraction and others that had been held in the dome. It said that might include developing “new temporary or permanent structures.”

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...nap-story.html

[dragonsky]

Silicon Valley's long workday commutes are now worse than LA’s

Far be it from us to stoke the flames of the San Francisco versus Los Angeles rivalry, but LA’s been making some big strides in transportation, while the Bay Area seems to be floundering a bit. Heading into election day, LA is looking to fund a sleek and modern transportation system, while San Francisco is merely attempting to patch together the failing system it has had since 1972.

Now, according to the San Jose Mercury News, Silicon Valley is developing a traffic problem that rivals the notorious gridlock of LA freeways. Joint Venture’s Institute for Regional Studies just released a report that found compared to LA, more Bay Area drivers are making "megacommutes."

A "megacommute" is defined as one-way commutes to work that exceed 90 minutes.

http://la.curbed.com/2016/11/4/13524...ngeles-traffic

[dragonsky]

Rail-to-Rail/River project aims to open first segment in 2019

•Segment A is about 6.4 miles long between the Crenshaw/LAX Line’s Fairview Station in Inglewood and Santa Fe Avenue in Huntington Park (the dotted green line on the above map). This portion — called “rail to rail” — is funded and in the environmental study/design phase. Metro is aiming to open this segment in 2019 prior to the Crenshaw/LAX Line opening later that year.

•Segment A, as the map shows, would provide direct access to the Crenshaw/LAX Line, the Silver Line’s Slauson Station and the Blue Line’s Slauson Station — plus many busy Metro north-south routes, including the heavily-used buses that run on Vermont Avenue. This is also a corridor near many homes, apartments, jobs and schools. See the screen grab below from Google Maps.

•Four routes remain under study for Segment B that would connect to the river. This part of the the project is called “rail to river” and the four options range from 2.1 miles to 4.3 miles long.

http://thesource.metro.net/2016/11/0...gment-in-2019/

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A tax hike to fund a major expansion of the Metro system is leading in early returns

A half-cent sales tax increase that would fund the most ambitious transit expansion in Los Angeles County history appeared to be leading in early returns Tuesday night.

Measure M would generate an estimated $120 billion over four decades for Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus and rail operations, system maintenance and fare subsidies, as well as a dramatic expansion of the county’s growing rail network.

The proposal has the potential to transform a traffic-choked region that began building a modern rail network decades after other U.S. cities. The tax revenue would fund the construction of nearly a dozen new rail lines, including twin rail tunnels through the Sepulveda Pass and new connections to Pacoima, Claremont, Artesia and Torrance.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...108-story.html

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Eric Garcetti, Metro CEO thank LA County voters for passing Measure M

One by one, members of a diverse coalition of politicians, labor and environmental leaders from all parts of Los Angeles County praised the voters on Wednesday for approving Measure M, a half-cent sales tax that will raise $120 billion over 40 years for transportation improvements.

The measure, which received 70 percent of the vote, gives the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) a funding stream of $860 million every year, making the measure worth more than half of all the transit measures approved by voters across the country Tuesday night.

“This is the boldest, most comprehensive transportation investment initiative in North America and I want to thank the voters for bestowing on us that sacred trust,” said Metro CEO Phil Washington, one of many who spoke at a press conference inside the great ticket hall of Union Station.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-ne...sing-measure-m

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Measure M project descriptions

Airport Rail Connector and Green Line Rail Extension
Connects Metro Green Line Rail, Crenshaw/LAX Line Rail, and Metro and municipal bus service to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via the LAX Automated People Mover.

Purple Line Rail Subway Extension: Century City West to Westwood/VA Hospital
Extends Purple Line Rail Subway 2.5 miles along Wilshire Bl, two stations, from Century City West to Westwood/VA Hospital; connects the Sepulveda Pass underground via the Westwood/UCLA Station.

High Desert Multi-Purpose Corridor: SR-14 to SR-18
Builds the Los Angeles County portion of a new freeway and toll lanes with parallel rail/transit service and a bikeway to connect cities in the Antelope and Victor Valleys, including Palmdale and Lancaster.

I-5 Truck and Carpool Lane Additions: SR-14 Interchange to Lake Hughes Rd
Adds one truck lane and one carpool lane in each direction, while maintaining existing general purpose lanes.

Gold Line Rail Extension: Foothill to Claremont
Extends Gold Line Rail 11 miles and adds five stations, from Citrus College Station to the Claremont Metrolink Station; linking Claremont, Glendora, La Verne, Pomona and San Dimas.

Orange Line BRT Connector to Gold Line Rail
15.3-mile bus rapid transit line from North Hollywood Orange/Red Line Rail Station to the Gold Line Rail in Pasadena. The project could be converted to a rail service at a later date if ridership demand outgrows the bus rapid service capacity.

Orange Line BRT Improvements
Enables Orange Line bus rapid transit buses to bypass several key intersections to improve bus speeds and passenger travel times.

East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor
9.2-mile high-capacity transit project, 14 stations, connecting the Orange Line Van Nuys station to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station.

West Santa Ana Transit Corridor
New light rail connection from the city of Artesia to Union Station spanning 20 miles using city streets, Metro, and ports-owned rail right-of-way. The project would be built in two phases: first between Artesia and the Green Line and then between the Green Line and Union Station.

Crenshaw/LAX Light Rail Track Enhancement Project
Constructs a portion of the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line (currently under construction) adjacent to the LAX runways so it is fully underground.

Sepulveda Pass ExpressLane Transit Corridor
Adds two ExpressLanes in each direction along the I-405 from I-10 to US-101, while maintaining current general purpose lanes, to provide express bus service connecting the San Fernando Valley to Westwood.

Vermont BRT Corridor: Hollywood Bl to 120th St
Adds a 12.5-mile high capacity bus rapid transit corridor from Hollywood Bl to 120th St. The project could be converted to a rail service at a later date if ridership demand outgrows the bus rapid service capacity.

SR-57/SR-60 Interchange Improvements
Two miles of freeway, on-ramp, auxiliary lane and street widening improvements in the vicinity of Grand Av and Golden Springs Dr.

Green Line Rail Extension: Redondo Beach to Torrance Transit Center
Extends Green Line Rail 4.7 miles, four stations, from Redondo Beach to the Torrance Transit Center.23. Vermont BRT Corridor: Hollywood Bl to 120th St Adds a 12.5-mile high capacity bus rapid transit corridor from Hollywood Bl to 120th St. The project could be converted to a rail service at a later date if ridership demand outgrows the bus rapid service capacity.

I-710 South Corridor Zero Emission Truck Lane Additions: Long Beach to Commerce
Adds two Zero-Emission truck lanes in each direction, for a total of 18 miles, while maintaining current general purpose lanes. The project includes improvements to the Shoemaker Bridge. The project is planned to be built in two phases.

I-105 ExpressLane Additions: I-405 to I-605
Creates two additional ExpressLanes, totaling 16 miles, while maintaining current general purpose lanes in each direction.

Sepulveda Pass Transit Tunnel

An 8.8-mile high-capacity transit project between the Orange Line’s Van Nuys Station and the Purple Line Extension’s Wilshire/Westwood Station with a stop on the UCLA campus.

Gold Line Eastside Rail Extension
Extends Gold Line Rail east from Atlantic Station. Two alignments are planned for construction, one along SR-60 to South El Monte, and the other along Washington Bl to Whittier.

West Santa Ana Transit Corridor Segment 2
New light rail connection from the City of Artesia to Union Station spanning 20 miles using city streets, Metro, and ports-owned rail right-of-way. Segment 2 would run be between the Green Line and Union Station.

I-5 South Corridor Lane Additions: I-605 to I-710
Adds one general purpose lane and one carpool lane in each direction, for a total of seven miles. When complete, there will be a total of five general purpose lanes and one carpool lane in each direction.

Crenshaw Line Rail Northern Extension to West Hollywood

Extends Crenshaw Line Rail north from the Expo/Crenshaw Station to Hollywood at the Red Line Rail Hollywood/Highland Station.

I-405/I-110 ExpressLanes Direct Connect Ramps & Interchange Improvements
The new project provides direct connector ramps between ExpressLanes on the I-110 and I-405.

LAX BRT Connector to Santa Monica
Links Airport Metro Connector to Expo Line Rail via a bus rapid transit corridor along Lincoln Bl. The project could be converted to a rail service at a later date if ridership demand outgrows the bus rapid service capacity.

Metro Rail and ExpressLanes Extension from Westwood to LAX Metro Connector

Ten-mile high-capacity transit and rail extension from Wilshire/Westwood Station to the Airport Metro Connector. Project could also add ExpressLanes along the I-405 that provides express bus service connecting Westwood to LAX.

LA River Bike Path Extension: Canoga Park to Glendale
Constructs a 12-mile bike path along the LA River connecting Canoga Park to Glendale. The project will complete the LA River Bike Path between Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

LA River Waterway and Bike Path: Elysian Valley to Maywood
Constructs eight-mile bike path along the LA River connecting the Elysian Valley to the City of Maywood through downtown Los Angeles. The measure will complete the LA River Bike Path between Long Beach and the Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley.

I-605/I-10 Interchange Improvements
Interchange improvements in all directions (North, South, East and West).

SR-60/I-605 Carpool Interchange Improvements
Improves interchanges from I-605 Rose Hills to I-10, and SR-60 from Santa Anita to Turnbull Canyon. Includes: new auxiliary lanes, wider lanes and bridges, interchange connectors and ramp improvements.

LA River Waterway and Bike Path: Elysian Valley to Maywood
Constructs eight-mile bike path along the LA River connecting the Elysian Valley to the City of Maywood through downtown Los Angeles. The measure will complete the LA River Bike Path between Long Beach and the Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley.

Historic Downtown Streetcar
Builds a 3.8-mile streetcar along existing traffic lanes from 1st St to 11th St in downtown Los Angeles.

http://thesource.metro.net/2016/11/0...-descriptions/

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Here are the “shovel ready” projects Measure M will fund first
A rail line to LAX, a subway under the Sepulveda Pass, a subway to Westwood

The passage of Measure M at the ballot box this week will herald sweeping changes for Los Angeles’ transportation system.

“Today we can stand here and say LA is leading the nation,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti at a press conference Wednesday, noting that Measure M’s $120 billion in funding represented more than 50 percent of the infrastructure investments approved by voters across the country on Tuesday.

While the half-cent sales tax increase doesn’t go into effect until next year, transit leaders are already promoting the projects that will transform the region. Which will affect your commute first?

http://la.curbed.com/2016/11/10/1358...ts-first-build