Maintenance Diaries: Green Line upgrades during Crenshaw/LAX Line tie-in work

by ,

Learn how we keep our system in a State of Good Repair with the Maintenance Diaries.

The Crenshaw/LAX Line reached a milestone last month after completing the junction that connects the tracks to the Green Line, just west of Aviation/LAX Station.

In the above time-lapse video (yes, we missed the beginning of work due to technical difficulties) crews worked for 64 consecutive days laying new tracks, testing train control software, updating signals and switches, modifying track circuits and installing new catenary power lines.

State of Good Repair work was also done between Aviation/LAX and Redondo Beach stations on the Green Line — the section that was closed to accommodate the work. Green Line riders may have noticed new station signage, repainted parking lots and platform benches, among other upgrades.

Freshly painted benches at Douglas and El Segundo Station.

Repainted parking lot at Redondo Beach Station.

Resurfaced tracks west of Redondo Beach Station.

Repainted piping west of El Segundo Station.

New signage at Douglas Station.

As the new rail line gets closer to opening day, the next phase of work will involve restoring the roads along Crenshaw Boulevard. This will require removing concrete panels where the future Leimert Park, Martin Luther King Jr. and Expo/Crenshaw Stations will be located. Utilities hanging from beams will be permanently secured before roads are back-filled and repaved.

The last phase of the restoration process will involve reconstruction of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and ADA ramps. The work is anticipated to begin mid-June 2018. Once the Crenshaw/LAX Line opens — scheduled for Fall 2019 — there will be new 8.5 miles of track and eight new stations serving the Crenshaw Corridor, Inglewood and the LAX communities.

An additional station will be built at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street where Crenshaw/LAX Line and Green Line riders can transfer to a people mover that will serve the LAX terminals. The Aviation/96th Street Station and people mover are both expected to open by 2023.

What’s next for Maintenance Diaries? Below are the next topics we’re planning to cover. If there are other topics you’re particularly interested in, be sure to let us know in the comments!

  • Maintenance Diaries: How Metro trains are powered
  • Maintenance Diaries: How bus service is restored after a breakdown
  • Maintenance Diaries: What makes a train run smoothly
  • Maintenance Diaries: The New Blue Line

Categories: Projects

Tagged as: , , , , ,

8 replies ›

  2. how will one ride from let’s say Lakewood Station to the new Century/Aviation station. Will you need to change trains at LAX/Aviation? How will you know if your train is continuing straight on past LAX/Aviation station to Redondo–or turns right and heads towards the new Century Aviation station?

  3. l’ll like say thank you to all Metro staff and contractors a very good job and support, to keep Metro on the move!

  4. Will metro ever extend the platforms from aviation/LAX to Redondo beach station to make both the green/Crenshaw lines ready for 3-car train service when demand increases overtime?

    • Hi Luis;

      I’m unaware of any plans at this time to extend the platforms although that could happen in the future.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  5. I thought the Aviation/96th Street Station will open in 2021 so airport travelers have less transfers. Maybe a false rumor.

    • Hi Tim;

      The airport’s people mover isn’t supposed to open until 2023 so the goal is to have the Aviation/96th Station done by then.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source