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Construction concerns over LA subway (NBC 4)
The segment on the Purple Line Extension suggests that Metro is seeking to perform work on the subway 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To clarify: Metro has one application currently before the Los Angeles Police Commission for construction work on the first phase of the Purple Line Extension. It asks for a six month extension of a permit that expires April 17 for utility relocation night work from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. with the stipulation that the noisiest work be performed before 11 p.m. The work would be done five nights at week — Monday through Friday at Wilshire/La Brea and Sunday through Thursday for Wilshire/Fairfax.
Metro has also met with the Police Commission to discuss an upcoming application for station box pile drilling work in 2015, which would be done between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. This work will occur after all the utility relocation has been completed.
UPDATE, MORE INFORMATION: In January, Metro submitted three applications to the Police Commission to allow night-time work involving noise at Wishire and Western, Wilshire and LaBrea and Wilshire and Fairfax that would include pile installation, street decking and yard work at those locations beginning in August 2014. Metro has asked the Commission to not act on that request while the agency worked on providing more details. Metro is currently working on resubmitting these applications.
Interested readers may want to review the project’s Construction Fact Sheet for more information on how this will all occur.
The plan that could finally free New York City from traffic congestion (The Atlantic Cities)
The group Move New York is proposing a congestion pricing plan for Manhattan that toll all bridges and tunnels (some are and some aren’t currently) and impose a toll on motorists heading into Manhattan south of 60th Street. Traffic is always a big issue in New York, but doing anything about it is politically difficult. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg pursued congestion pricing. When that fell through, a federal grant instead went to Metro, which used the funds to start the ExpressLanes on the 10 and 110 freeways.
LAPD seeking suspects in DASH bus shooting (L.A. Times)
A woman and boy were wounded either when they were grazed by a bullet or by shattered glass at 42nd and Avalon in South L.A. early Wednesday evening. An accompanying photo shows the boy standing and getting treatment for his injuries.
First poll on L.A. sales tax hike for street and sidewalk repairs (KABC 7)
A proposed half-cent sales tax increase in the city of Los Angeles for street and sidewalk repair was supported by 40 percent of those surveyed by Channel 7 while 55 percent said they would against an increase. Such an increase would need two-thirds support for passage. The City Council has until July to decide whether to put a proposed increase to voters on the November ballot.
California still failing to invest in sustainable transportation choices (NRDC)
The environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council takes a closer look at projects to be considered for funding by the California Transportation Commission. And the group doesn’t like what it sees, with the majority of money going to road projects at a time when walking, biking and transit use in the state has increased.
Categories: Transportation Headlines
Yes, because it is very important that ten million residents in all of LA County have to wait for the concerns of 7500 rich residents living in the mansions in Miracle Mile. Can’t handle the noise and construction? Move to Wyoming.
Ken Hixon
I don’t recall hearing any construction noise duing MOS 1 except the dumping of dirt into dump trucks. That operation seemed a little silly because it was as if they didn’t want to fill the dump trucks to fast and seemed to be sifting the debris instead of just loading it. And that noise can be medigated by fencing with sound absorbing screens where the loading will take place. In addition most housing along the route is at least a half a block away or more.
Boo-hoo sob stories like how it’s noisy don’t really click well to majority of Angelenos when 60% of Angelenos live in multi-family apartment complexes where noise is an everyday fact of life.
Our words to you: DEAL WITH IT.
Hello Warren,
I wish ear plugs would do the trick. I’d be happy to pick up the tab myself — for all 7,500 pairs…
Ken Hixon
Ken Hixon, I live in the area and I don’t support your efforts to delay the construction of the subway. This subway is long overdue. As it is now this segment of the project won’t be completed for another 10 years. My suggestion is that you request Metro to offer the area residents who might have a problem sleeping during the night a pair of ear plugs so what little noise they may hear they won’t hear.
Cincinnati? It’s tough when your brackets are toast before lunch is over.
My bracket is a bloodbath. Boldness unrewarded.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Hello Steve,
With all due respect you are mistaken about Metro having only one application before the Los Angeles Police Commission seeking permission for nighttime construction –– in fact, Metro has submitted three applications to the Police Commission for exemptions from Los Angeles work hours rules: for the Western/Wilshire, La Brea/Wilshire, and Fairfax/Wilshire construction staging sites. PDF copies of Metro’s applications for the Fairfax and La Brea constuction staging sites can be found online here: http://miraclemilela.com/projects/subway-construction/
Metro has clearly stated in the Purple Line Extension EIR, construction reports, and in its RFP documents that it intends to tunnel 24/7 and, hence, the construction staging sties supporting the tunnel boring machince would also have to operate 24/7.
It is the noise and disturbances created by around-the-clock operation of the La Brea and Fairfax construction staging sites that is the cause for concern in the Miracle Mile. Not the shorter term overnight work necessary for the “cut-and-cover” activities.
Thanks,
Ken Hixon, Vice President
Miracle Mile Residential Association
Hi Ken;
Thank you for the information. I have updated the original post to reflect that other applications to the Police Commission were submitted by Metro although are now on hold.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source