Final update, 2:32 p.m.: Gold Line tracks have been cleared and normal service is now being restored with residual delays through approximately 3:15 p.m.
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Metro Gold Line service between Del Mar and Allen Station is currently suspended due to a vehicle collision on the westbound 210 freeway near Lake Avenue that occurred at approximately 11:29 a.m.
The vehicle and debris is blocking both tracks. Metro staff is assessing any possible damage to the Gold Line tracks.
Gold Line trains are running every 15 minutes with trains running between Atlantic and Del Mar and another set of trains running between Allen and APU/Citrus. Bus shuttles are in service between Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake and Allen and stations. Please allow extra time to travel through the impacted area.
We will continue to provide updates here at The Source. For live updates, check metro.net or follow Metro on Twitter @metrolosangeles or @metroLAalerts.
JUST IN: After collision, car goes off 210 Freeway in Pasadena, lands on Metro Gold Line tracks. 210 traffic slow in both directions, Metro service shut down. pic.twitter.com/IC5DZpt04s
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) January 17, 2018
Categories: Transportation News
It’s good that a project is finally being looked at to address this saftey issue. I’ve always wondered why this stretch wasn’t designed exactly like the green line on the 105, with it’s higher barrier and fence as well as up to 65 mph operation. I guess the above comment about former budget concerns explains the barrier/fence issue. But hopefully metro can also eventually enable green line speeds here as well. My understanding is that the green line is fully automated but I don’t think that’s a requirement for 65 – 70 mph. There just needs to be enough grade separation and long straight track. I would hope the track design is at least built to be rated for those speeds and its just a matter of signaling right? hmm…
Eventually one of these wayward cars is going to hit a moving train and possibly maim or kill many innocent passengers. Why isn’t making this stretch of freeway/rail more safe a higher priority? Metro has gotten luck thus far but eventually the luck will run out.
Have studies been done on increasing the size/strength of the barriers? I know it would be hard to stop a tractor trailer, but it seems like cars are ending up on these tracks all too frequently.
Hi Kevin;
Yes, there is a project looking at this issue. I’ll provide more info when I get it.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Not again! Those K-rails are too short for safety. According to one of the engineer’s working at Metro when they were built, the barriers were shortened from the original plans to save the Gold Line from going over budget. I would be happy to give Metro’s Inspector General the name of that track engineer. But any reasonable citizen can see that the Gold Line was not “gold-plated” in track safety in this instance. Moreover, that’s what the next plaintiff’s attorney may use as an argument in court on his “golden” train trip to the bank, or rather the public’s pockets.