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Harriet continues digging south under Crenshaw Boulevard and arrived at the Martin Luther King Jr. station this week.
Harriet will now take a 15-day “walk” through the station before mining resumes on the final leg of her journey at the end of February. It is estimated that it will take approximately one month for the tunnel boring machine to reach the Leimert Park Station. At that time, Harriet will be dismantled and retired from the project.
The Crenshaw/LAX Line is being built by Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC), the firm hired by Metro.
Click above to see larger version.
Northern segment
Crenshaw/Expo, Martin Luther King Jr. and Leimert Park stations
Construction of the three underground stations continues with work on columns, interior and exterior walls, lower walls, waterproofing and the installation of falsework.
UG4 (exit/entrance portal to underground segment)
Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC) is installing waterproofing membrane, removing struts and wailers and installing duct-bank that will house electric and fiber optics.
Park Mesa Heights (from 48th Street to Slauson Avenue)
Construction on this street-level segment is now in full swing, including work on curb and gutter reconstruction, lighting, storm drain installation, demolition and replacement of sidewalk and driveways, installation of underground conduits, the relocation of fire hydrants and periodic utility adjustments. There will also be a 21-day or possibly longer closure of curbside parking on the east side of Crenshaw Boulevard between 54th and 57th streets and on the west side between 57th Street and Slauson Avenue.
Temporary parking is now in place and includes parking lots on Crenshaw Boulevard at 48th Street, 50th Street and 54th Street. The three parking lots are overseen by Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) with funding by Metro and the work done by Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC).
The demolition of the median in Crenshaw Boulevard between 48th and 54th streets to allow for construction of the railroad tracks is expected to begin by Feb. 20.
Hyde Park Station
The first week of February marked the beginning of construction of the Hyde Park Station. First steps are the demolition of the median on Crenshaw Boulevard at Slauson Avenue followed by steel pile installation.
UG3 (underground segment between Hyde Park Station and 67th Street)
Decking activities continue at the intersection of Hyde Park Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard. Activities are scheduled over the next six weeks between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. There may be some weekend closures of Hyde Park Boulevard for this work.
Southern Segment
The southern segment of the line is also taking shape, with construction underway in the Inglewood, Westchester and LAX communities.
Stations
All four stations in the southern segment are under construction. The Fairview Heights Station is the furthest along followed by Downtown Inglewood Station and then Westchester/Veterans Station. Concrete will be poured this week and the steel platforms installed for the aerial Aviation/Century Station. Work on the retaining walls that will hold the ballast for the tracks has also begun.
Bridges
The bridges over La Brea Avenue, I-405 Freeway, Manchester Boulevard, Century Boulevard, 114th Street and Imperial Highway are also in various stages of construction.
Green Line Connection
The falsework (framing) has been removed from the east and west bridges that will connect the Crenshaw/LAX Line to the Green Line. Work on walls to support tracks between Imperial Highway and 114th Street continues.
About Crenshaw/LAX Line
The 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX Line is a $2.058-billion light-rail line that will run between the Green Line and the Expo Line and have eight new stations to serve the Crenshaw, Inglewood and LAX communities. It is expected to open in late 2019.
For more information on the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project go to metro.net/Crenshaw or join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CrenshawRail and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/crenshawrail or call the project hotline (213) 922-2736.
Categories: Projects
Still no metro to Lax
Its too bad we cant keep the machine for future use. Ive always wondered why the Red Line was so massive (some ur stations seem the size of small frigates) in comparison to our Light Rail tunnels and stations. It seems like the Red and Purple lines could’ve simply been underground light rail. I assume it was an engineering problem, but it would be nice to see an operable light rail that was fully underground and allowed for trains to be interchanged along the entire system since they’d be the same gauge.
@TheRealTransitRider Huh????? The red and purple lines are far from being the definition of underground light rail….
What’s next for Harriet after she finishes up here? The Purple line?
No, each project has its own tunnel boring machine designed for the particulars of that project — and the projects are being built by different contractors. Harriet will probably go back to the manufacturer, if I recall.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
The current rail bridge over the 405 is being used to support the falsework for the new rail bridge. Will it remain once the new bridge is complete, or will it be removed?
Hi Nathan —
I’m told that the existing bridge will remain in place. Hope that helps!
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Thanks!
Sorry – one more thing – metro.net/crenshaw doesn’t work when clicked goes to 404 page. But https://www.metro.net/projects/crenshaw_corridor/ works.
Very exciting stuff! Fun to see it come together, thanks for sharing!
uh… Reminder to Jose – “CHECK SPELLING OF DUCT-BANK”