Expo Line train testing update
Here’s the latest notice from the Expo Line Construction Authority, which is building the light rail project:
Board reaffirms support for high-speed rail route through Antelope Valley
With no discussion, a motion officially supporting an Antelope Valley route for California’s high-speed rail route was unanimously approved by the Metro Board today. The motion was by Member Mike Antonovich, who pointed out that many residents who voted for the high-speed rail bond in 2008 believed the route would [continue reading]
Work on Gold Line Foothill Extension bridge continues
The top photo was taken in March before work began on the Gold Line bridge over the eastbound lanes of the 210 freeway. The bottom photo was taken yesterday — Wednesday, Aug. 3. Here’s the update sent out today by Foothill Extension Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian: Work on the [continue reading]
Ventilation test today and Thursday on Expo Line — the smoke is just a test
Here’s the news release: Metro today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will conduct a ventilation test on the Expo light rail line, inside the trench between Jefferson Boulevard at Flower Street and Expo Park/USC Station at Exposition Boulevard. The testing will continue Thursday, August 4, under the same schedule. [continue reading]
Failure to fund FAA could delay Crenshaw/LAX Line environmental document
Congress has finished up its work on the U.S. economy and is preparing to flee Washington for their summer recess, which some people — such as U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood — are calling a “vacation.” One tiny little thing: Congress still hasn’t reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration. Because the [continue reading]
Carpool lanes on 110 freeway to be closed overnight for next 13 months
The 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. carpool and transitway closures begin Sunday night, Aug. 7 to accommodate the ExpressLanes project, which is converting the existing carpool lanes into toll lanes. The closures are scheduled to continue through Sept. 2012. Several bus lines, including the Silver Line, will be impacted. Please [continue reading]
Motion by Supervisor Antonovich seeks to preserve high-speed rail route through the Antelope Valley
I suspect one of the most interesting discussions at Thursday’s meeting of the Metro Board of Directors will involve a non-Metro project: the California high-speed rail project between Anaheim and San Francisco. County Mayor/Supervisor and Metro Board Vice Chairman Mike Antonovich has authored a motion asking the Board to support [continue reading]
The Westside Subway Extension: Subway Facts & History, part one
The Westside Subway Extension is a big, complicated project that has been discussed in Los Angeles in one form or another for the past 50 years. Planning for the current project got underway in 2007 and is now in the final environmental review stage. The Source is launching a new [continue reading]
Reminder: downtown streetcar meeting this afternoon
Metro is holding a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. today in the 1st floor conference room at the Caltrans building (1st and Main streets) to discuss the planning process and possible routes for the return of streetcar service in downtown Los Angeles. Here is a link to a previous Source [continue reading]
First installment of federal funding secured for Wilshire bus lane project
Some good news out of Washington today: Metro received word that $9.7 million in federal funding for the Wilshire bus lane project has been secured. The project, approved by the Metro Board of Directors this past spring, will add 7.7 miles of peak hour bus lanes to portions of Wilshire, [continue reading]