Utility relocation to begin in November for Regional Connector!

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The Connector is a 1.9-mile underground light rail line that will tie together the Blue, Expo and Gold lines in downtown Los Angeles, making it a lot easier and quicker to move about the region without having to transfer so much. The project is partially funded by Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase approved by L.A. County voters in 2008.

Here’s the announcement from the project team:

Update: Initiation of Advanced Utility Relocation Activity

WORK TO START NOVEMBER 2012
What: The Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project will extend Light Rail Transit (LRT) tracks 1.9 miles underground through Downtown Los Angeles, connecting the Metro Gold, Blue, and Expo lines. The project also includes the construction of three new stations located at 1st/Central, 2nd/Broadway, and 2nd/Hope. Utility relocation activities are expected to begin in November 2012, with construction of the Regional Connector beginning in late 2013. Anticipated project completion is 2019.
When: Beginning November 2012 and continuing through Fall 2013.
Utility relocations will generally take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Work may also need to be performed at certain locations during weekday peak periods, up to 11 p.m. at night and on Sundays, subject to City approval.
This work is being completed in advance of the Regional Connector construction. Activities such as tunnel boring and station construction will not begin until Metro has selected a Design/Build contractor, which is expected in Fall 2013.
Where: Activities will be focused around Regional Connector station locations:

  • 1st Street at Central Avenue
  • 2nd Street at Broadway
  • 2nd Street at Hope Street
What to Expect: Utility relocation activities will include the removal, realignment, and installation of new power, water, sewer, telephone, cable, and fiber optic lines. Specifically, there will be excavation and trenching in the area.
Current and completed activities for the Regional Connector have included investigative pothole drilling to determine the depth and location of existing utilities in order to prepare for relocation.

Sign up to receive notices for specific activities by following this link: http://eepurl.com/lqt29 Please call 213.922.7277 to request further information For the latest construction information, visit www.metro.net/regionalconnector Thank you for your patience and cooperation

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6 replies ›

  1. I am very happy to see this project get underway, with two reservations….one minor, the other major. Because I am a fan of Senor Fish, and the Spice Table and their respective irreplaceable historic brick buildings, I do wish the Little Tokyo station would’ve been where it was originally planned – the Office Depot parking lot, essentially. It is too bad that the Little Tokyo community apparently thought otherwise.

    My other reservation is that the route could’ve been a little more forward looking. It basically brings more stations to areas already well-served by rail stations. I realize that the goal was to put a line between two currently disconnected points, 7th/Metro and Little Tokyo. But if the line had been routed a little further south – maybe laterally on 3rd? – and there was a station in that blank area between Little Tokyo and Broadway it might actually encourage growth in areas that everyone seems to have written off – the Toy District, Central City East.

  2. Some times I just do not understand MTA; this is something that should have been done from day 1 when they opened the Blue Line. Why on earth was it not connected to Union Station to begin with? The other is the Green Line should have had a station at LAX when it was constructed. And I really wish that MTA would some how schedule trains at connecting points for transfers where passengers do not have to wait 20 minutes for another train to arrive.

  3. Why is it taking so long? Greed and incompetence. If this was attempted in the 1920’s, it would have been finished in less than a year and under budget.

  4. Ethan Elkind

    It would be faster and cheaper if it was dig and cover, but businesses owners don’t like that idea. Dig and cover means blocking surface streets, and during that duration, there would be no way for people to come to their stores while Metro does dig and cover.

  5. Seven years to construct a 1.9 mile underground light rail line? Is there any explanation for why this project will take so long?