The Crenshaw/LAX Line reached a nice milestone this past week with the beginning of train testing on a 1.4-mile segment of track adjacent to LAX — the southernmost part of the project. Check out the above video.
In that segment, trains are now being powered by the overhead wires and reaching regular speeds. Signal and systems testing began in September, when a train first traveled from the Green Line tracks onto the new Crenshaw/LAX Line tracks. The overall project is 93 percent complete and we’re definitely seeing progress — although there is still work, testing and training to be done.
Earlier this fall Metro and Walsh Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC) — the contractor building the project — performed clearance testing. At very slow speeds, a train car was outfitted with foam shells on its side to ensure the vehicle cleared all structures such as platforms and other equipment that are next to the tracks. Staff inside and outside the train made sure everything worked as it should. That included keeping an eye on the overhead wires and the pantograph — the “arm” mounted on the roof of the train to collect power from the wires.
The testing has been successful so far and couldn’t have been done without diligent work of both Metro and WSCC staff.
We’d like to give a shout out to two train operators in particular:
Cora “CoCo” Lewis has been with LA Metro for over 30 years. Having started at Metro at the age of 21, Cora operated buses for about 10 years before becoming a train operator. She celebrated her birthday on the second day of the Crenshaw testing — last Thursday — and was the first to run a train at 55 mph. See more of Cora and other female trailblazers at Metro!
Ramtin Gholigadeh has been with Metro for over 33 years. Ramtin started his career in the late 1980s and began as a train operator in the early days of the A Line (Blue) in 1993. He is glad to see the much-needed A Line renovations take place over the past several months.
The Crenshaw/LAX Line began construction in 2014. An opening date hasn’t yet been announced but substantial completion is expected in 2020. The 8.5-mile, $2.1-billion project — with underground, street level and aerial sections — will run between the Green Line and Expo Line with eight new stations. Separately, a ninth station will be built at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street and will provide connections between Metro Rail and the future LAX people mover that will serve airport terminals.
Below are some more photos from testing thus far:
Categories: I-405 closure July16-17, Projects
Will the Century station be taken out of service when the Aviation/96th station and the people mover are complete? It appears these stations would be walking distance from each other.
Hi Ryan;
Both stations will remain in service. They are very close. Just for purposes of background, the Century Station was part of the Crenshaw/LAX Line’s original plans — the thinking being that the rail line would connect with the people mover there. But as people mover plans evolved, the airport wanted a route further north and Metro decided to add a station at Aviation and 96th, which would be built as a separate project.
Perhaps not ideal but I think it carries some benefits. The Century station still serves that corridor, where there are many hotels and other businesses. At Aviation and Century there is more room for a full station with bus bays and a much shorter walk to the people mover than there would have been at Century. So even though the stations are close, I think having two will be convenient. I don’t think having stations so close is advised in many communities but given the number of visitors and workers to LAX, I think it should work relatively well.
Quasi-related: just got back from watching early train testing in that area. Still a lot of work to do, but a step forward.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
This is great news. Hopefully the train will run 24hrs when it starts. Its would be a win for everybody ( METRO-financially, LAX employees and the travelling public. considering the traffic congestion at LAX today). I believe this service is a financial win for Metro, so thank you.