Click above to see a larger map.
I wanted to provide a quick update on planning efforts for the Crenshaw/LAX Line because I’m aware there is some erroneous information floating around out there about the project’s approval process.
The project’s final environmental impact statement/report is presently being finalized by Metro staff with a public release date targeted at mid to late August. Metro is working with both the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration to get their approval to release the document. (The FAA is involved because of the rail line’s proximity to LAX).
If that release date is achieved, the Metro Board of Directors would review the document at the Sept. 14 meeting and issue a recommendation to the full Board of Directors, who would then discuss and vote on the document at their Sept. 22 meeting.
The Crenshaw/LAX Line is one of the 12 transit projects funded by the Measure R half-cent sales tax increase approved by L.A. County voters in 2008. The project, as being planned, proposes a light rail line between the intersection of Exposition and Crenshaw boulevards and the Green Line near Aviation Boulevard.
Hey Steve
The map shoes that the crenshaw line north of MLK is going to be subway. As far I know that portion has been approved for at-grade operation with a design option for subway. Is metro now seriously considering putting that portion underground?
Hi Ronny;
The map is correct and, yes, that segment is being considered as below ground. I believe planners discussed this segment in front of the Board at some point or at meetings. The issue involves a planned development in the city of L.A. As you know, of course, nothing is final until the FEIS/R i adopted by the Metro Board of Directors.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
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So it appears the line goes closer to LAX, but still not *right* to the terminals. Would the expectation be Metro riders take the circulator bus that goes to each terminal?
Hi LA Urban Nerd;
You are correct. LAX is studying a people mover to connect the new Crenshaw Line station at Aviation/Century to the airport terminals and the Metro Board in March approved going forward with a study on how better to connect the Green and Crenshaw Line to the airport terminals. See this post.
Best,
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
“Erroneous information?”
Item #17 on the Planning & Programming Committee meeting as of yesterday morning stated that the committee was scheduled to approve the project on the condition of FTA approval. It was only withdrawn AFTER we very publicly prepared our people for what would have violated any number of public notices laws at the state and federal level, considering among other facts Metro has not even released the final EIR/EIS.
This is information that is clearly verifiable right on this very site:
See the planning and programming committee agenda:
http://www.metro.net/about/meetings/board/ppc-0720-2011/agenda/
With the big words in red “ITEM WITHDRAWN.”
And by the way, we did not find out the item was withdrawn by having one of our numerous emails to project manager returned, but rather through the LA Streetsblog post.
Hi Damien;
This item was not targeted at any particular person or group. You are correct–the item was agendized and then withdrawn. I just wanted to let people who are interested in the project know the timeline for the approval process. With all due respect, Metro believes public notice laws were being followed.
Thanks for reading and commenting,
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
I am glad that that the station at crenshaw and exposition is being considered as a subway. That will facilitate a much more sensible future extension of the Crenshaw line north as it wont have to cross or sever the expo line. Hopefully it would stay underground all the way to wilshire/la brea and eventually on to Hollywood highland; the beginning of a true rapid transit grid!!!
Damien wrote: “It was only withdrawn AFTER we very publicly prepared our people for what would have violated any number of public notices laws at the state and federal level, considering among other facts Metro has not even released the final EIR/EIS.”
Rhetoric 101: correlation does not imply causation.
Clearly the agenda item was withdrawn because the FEIR schedule had slipped, not because of some mobilization of citizens. The original date was based on Metro’s original target date for FEIR release, which was in the June/July period.
Metro has been building rail projects for a long time. They may not do everything perfectly, but at this point it’s safe to say they are fairly well-versed in environmental law. Do you honestly think they would try to simply skip the mandatory 30-day public review period, in order to put one over on “the community”?
[corrected]
Mr. Hymon:
Joel C, has made a statement that there is a “mandatory” 30-day “public review” period.
Metro had certification of the FEIR/FEIS on track for the August 4 meeting as of Friday July 15, despite the FEIR/FEIS not being released. July 15 is clearly not 30 days prior to August 4. Mr. Hymon previously said that “With all due respect, Metro believes public notice laws were being followed.”
These two statements are obviously not compatible. To clarify for all your readers Steve, why don’t you explain the basis upon which Metro thinks that public notice laws could be followed.
Or better yet Steve, you can simply confirm that Metro believes, despite Crenshaw-LAX being a joint EIR/EIS document, that they are only mandated to provide a 10 day agency notice period prior to certification, and that 30 day “public review” periods were simply a “courtesy.”