The Regional Connector’s tunnel boring machine (Angeli, as she’s known around these parts) has arrived at the 1st St/Central Avenue Station site in Little Tokyo. After lowering the machine one segment at a time, the TBM has been assembled and is prepared to begin tunneling operations in January.
In the video, time lapse footage demonstrates how the two million pound machine is advancing toward its launch site, eight feet at a time. Get a good look at Angeli now — once excavation begins, she won’t resurface for about six months, the time it will take to dig the first of the two tunnels for the project that will link the Blue, Expo and Gold Lines under downtown Los Angeles.
That means quicker rides on our light rail system to and through DTLA. The project is forecast to be finished in 2021.
Categories: Projects
They are just starting to tunnel, they have been working on this project for two or three years? And if the junction will be underground doesn’t that mean there will be another extended disruption in service to move the trackage under ground prior to First Street?
Curious question: Will the “wyes” for the Gold/Blue-Expo Lines be constructed underground or at grade? Where, exactly?
It’s underground.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source