Blue/Expo Line delays: A very rough morning on both lines because of issues between Pico Station and Grand/LATTC Station with the overhead wires that power the trains. In perusing the response from riders on Twitter (click on ‘notifications’), some felt like Metro did a good job handling the delays while other riders said things were disorganized with the bus shuttles. The Blue Line and Expo Line are Metro’s busiest light rail lines and they share about 1.2 miles of track between 7th/Metro and the intersection of Washington and Flower. Losing the ability to fully use those tracks means big-time delays.

Dept. of Go Metro: 

Bill to kill proposed tunnel for 710 freeway gap fails, but that doesn’t make tunnel more likely, opponents say (SGV Trib)

A bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden died in committee last week, largely because his colleagues said the 710 North project was a local concern — and not one in which they should be deciding/meddling. The project proposes to improve congestion in the area around the gap in the 710 between Alhambra and Pasadena.

As the Trib notes, the 710 North’s draft environmental study could be going to the Metro Board this spring, meaning it will be up to the Board to decide how to proceed. The impact of the state bill…well, doesn’t seem to be much impact. Folks on different sides remain unswayed and it will likely be up to the Board to decide how to go forward.

The project proposes five alternatives: no build, a freeway tunnel, light rail, bus rapid transit and traffic signal/intersection improvements in the impacted corridor.

The properties that would be upzoned under the plan are almost exclusively commercial and industrial sites, where current occupants are less likely to oppose new construction.  Although a change in land use may be appropriate for these properties due to the arrival of the Expo Line, the fact that wealthier residential blocks nearby were left untouched speaks to the continued political clout of Los Angeles’ homeowners.  This is perhaps best highlighted by the Westwood/Rancho Park Station, which is surrounded on all sides by million-dollar houses, and was more-or-less ignored by the Expo TNP.  Not coincidentally, critics have pointed out that Westwood/Rancho Park is one of the Expo Line’s lowest-performing stations.