Here’s the news release from Metro, which is in the planning stages on the Measure R project to link the Gold Line to the Blue Line and future Expo Line in downtown L.A.:

Over the next two weeks, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will continue geotechnical testing at multiple locations along the planned alignment of the downtown Regional Connector project as part of the planning and engineering for the project.

The geotechnical work in downtown Los Angeles will include lane closures, locating utilities, soil borings, and noise and vibration tests. The test samples and data collected will provide information on subsurface conditions to evaluate optimum excavation and construction methodologies of tunnels and underground stations.

Included in the geotechnical borings will be a variety of tests that establish soil conditions. Part of the testing will include Sonic Core Drilling that measures noise and vibration in relation to geotechnical conditions and existing infrastructure.

Most of the testing will occur during the day with a limited amount of nighttime testing.  Traffic controls will be implemented to minimize impact to the community.

The planned locations of geotechnical activities are as follows:

• May 2, 2011:  2^nd at Hope Streets; Lower Grand Avenue between 2^nd Street and Grand Avenue; 2^nd Street near Olive and Hill Streets
• May 3, 2011:  2^nd Street near Olive and Hill Streets
• May 4, 2011:  3^rd and Flower Streets; Gen Kosciuszko Way between Hope and Flower Streets; 2^nd and Olive Streets
• May 5, 2011:  Gen Kosciuszko Way between Hope and Flower Streets; 2^nd and Olive Streets
• May 6, 2011:  Gen Kosciuszko Way between Hope and Flower Streets; Flower Street between 5^th and 6^th Streets; 2^nd and Olive Streets.

The Metro Regional Connector project will provide a 1.9-mile fully-underground connection for the Metro Gold, Blue and Exposition Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines.  The project is completing the Final EIS/EIR, and initiated Preliminary Engineering in January 2011. The Final EIS/EIR is expected to be adopted by the end of 2011, with the possible initiation of construction in 2013. The project will provide three new stations, serving approximately 90,000 transit passengers daily.

For more information about the Regional Connector, the public can leave a message at 213-922-7277 or visit www.metro.net/regionalconnector. For day-to-day testing location updates, please follow us at twitter.com/metroconnector. For emergencies or issues needing immediate attention, please call 213-922-7259.

We appreciate your continued involvement and participation. Thank you!

Description of Geotechnical Activities

Wireline Drilling

Wireline borings will be drilled using a truck-mounted drilling rig to collect core samples of the various rock layers. At the conclusion of drilling, the hole will be filled with grout and its top patched with asphalt or concrete to match the surrounding grade. There will be one to two support trucks for the drilling process.

What to Expect During Drilling:

• A drilling crew consisting of up to 4 personnel.

• A truck-mounted drill rig and support trucks (see photo).

• Wooden boxes to collect rock core samples.

• Drums to collect soil cuttings for sampling and disposal at conclusion of drilling.

• Moderate noise and moderate vibration.

Hollow-Stem-Auger Drilling

Hollow-stem borings will be drilled using a truck-mounted drilling rig to collect samples of the various soil layers. At the conclusion of drilling, the hole will be filled with grout and its top patched with asphalt to match the surrounding grade. There will be one to two support trucks for the drilling process.

What to Expect During Drilling:

• A drilling crew consisting of up to 4 personnel.

• A truck-mounted drill rig and support trucks (see photo).

• Drums to collect soil cuttings for sampling and disposal at conclusion of drilling.

• Moderate noise and moderate vibration.