Metro invites the public to participate in a virtual public scoping meeting for the Link Union Station (Link US) Project on Thursday, October 8, as part of the project’s environmental review process.

The Link US Project will build ‘run-through’ tracks at Union Station that will allow Metrolink and Amtrak trains to enter the station from both the south and north (at present all trains must enter from the north). This will improve rail travel times and help reduce idling trains — and make Metrolink and Amtrak operations at Union Station more efficient. 

Link US will also accommodate the state’s high-speed rail project to build a bullet train linking San Francisco to Southern California.

Metro is coordinating with the California High-Speed Rail Authority to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Metro is the local project sponsor and joint lead agency under NEPA. The public scoping period that is underway and ends Oct. 19 and the scoping meeting are part of the process to begin that work.

Scoping is the chance for the public to comment on items they want studied in the EIS.

At the meeting the public will: 

• Learn about the Link US Project and the proposed improvements to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Malabar Yard located in the city of Vernon.
• Learn more about the federal environmental review process.
  
• Provide your comments on what should be studied in the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

The virtual meeting will be held:

Thursday, October 8, 2020, 6–8 p.m.

Live Presentation: 6–6:30 p.m.

Public Comments: 6:30–8 p.m.

Call-in Number: 669.900.9128

Web Link: https://bit.ly/33aUWj6 Webinar ID: 824 7060 0907 Passcode: 454631

A virtual open house (metro.net/linkus) has been made available to the public throughout the 30-day public comment period that began on September 18 and will last through October 19. Learn more about this important project at your convenience at the link above.

Link US Project Update

In July 2019 Metro completed the state of California CEQA environmental clearance on the Link Union Station (Link US) project. Based on available funding to date of approximately $950 million, the Link US project will be implemented in two phases, Phase A and Phase B.

Phase A of the project will include new run-through tracks on a new viaduct to accommodate run-through tracks over the US-101 freeway, as well as right of way acquisition, utility relocation, street improvements and walking and biking improvements. Phase A of the Link US project is funded and will enhance transit connectivity in the Southern California region and is the first step toward bringing high-speed rail to Los Angeles.

Phase B is the full build-out of the Link US project and is currently not funded. Phase B will include concourse-related improvements, raising of the rail yard and the addition of remaining run-through tracks. This will increase rail service capacity at Los Angeles Union Station by up to 60 percent to accommodate the planned growth of commuter and inter-city rail services along with the future California high-speed rail line.

Here is a good presentation on the project from this past August.

Metrolink, in collaboration with Metro, is constructing signal and communication and rail modernization improvements at Los Angeles Union Station in coordination with the Link US project.

For additional information about the Link US Project, please visit the project website at metro.net/linkus or call (213) 922-2524.

Comments can be submitted verbally and digitally during the virtual public scoping meeting.

Comments may also be submitted anytime during the 30-day scoping period by U.S. mail to Vincent Chio, Project Manager, Metro, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-17-02, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or by the project’s information hotline at: (213) 922-2524. or via the project e-mail address at: linkunionstation@metro.net

Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese live interpretation will be provided during the Virtual Scoping meeting..

ADA Language Accommodation: Requests for language translations must be made to Metro at least three working days (72 hours) prior to the virtual scheduled meeting date at the project information line (213) 922-2524 or California Relay Service at 711.