I love the drama of decking photos in the dark. Actually, most construction looks cool in the dead of night when major work often proceeds so it’s less intrusive to the surrounding neighborhoods.
As these pictures show, work went well (and continued on schedule) this weekend for the decking process that is basic to creating the Aviation/Century light-rail aerial station that will serve the Crenshaw/LAX Line. The contractor Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors is in the process of drilling two holes, 25 feet apart, on the Century Boulevard median near the entrance to LAX to install rebar piles for the columns that will support the future elevated station. The photos illustrate one of the massive column forms being lowered into place. It will be secured and filled with concrete. The second column is scheduled to be secured by the end of the week.
On another construction front, work is also going well along Crenshaw Boulevard between Jefferson Boulevard and Coliseum Street, where the contractor has begun excavation and concrete decking work for the first of three underground stations for the Crenshaw/LAX line. This is a critical milestone for Crenshaw/LAX for its importance and complexity, since this is where the tunnel boring machine will be lowered so it can begin boring one of the two 1.09-mile tunnels.
In addition to construction progress, Metro is working on a variety of fronts to provide help for the mom and pop businesses affected by the Crenshaw/LAX construction process. A pilot Business Solutions Center and a pilot Business Interruption Fund are both in the works and the Eat, Shop, Play Crenshaw program inviting the community – and all of L.A. – to patronize the many and varied businesses along the corridor, is well underway. So Eat, Shop, Play Crenshaw! You’ll find great shopping opportunities for the holidays and all times.
Categories: Projects
Why did the Crenshaw line receive so many underground stations? I’m wondering why the Expo line couldn’t have received some more grade separation, especially along the Flower Street stretch…
Hi Joe;
The city of L.A. and the former CRA wanted the northern portion of the line underground — meaning the two northern stations would be underground. The Metro Board then later decided to add the Crenshaw/Vernon station to serve Leimert Park. Measure R helped fund the project so the money was mostly there (some additional funds needed to be found). On the other hand, the first phase of the Expo Line was pre-Measure R and funding was somewhat limited (there was also no federal funding). That made going underground cost prohibitive.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
In both of the photos, a rebar ‘cage’ is shown. Neither photo shows a form being lowered. The rebar goes inside of an existing form. The concrete flows around the rebar, on all sides.