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Post by tobias087 on Feb 28, 2011 17:05:57 GMT -8
Retail integrated into Park-and-Ride structures is a great idea, in my opinion. We should remember to push for this for Park-and-Ride lots erected for all future rail projects!
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Post by darrell on Feb 28, 2011 17:46:13 GMT -8
I like this one if only for the somewhat symbolic "Your Future Has Been Adjusted" billboard. Me too - that's a striking billboard to capture, and hey, our future will have been adjusted by the Expo Line!
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Post by bzcat on Feb 28, 2011 18:00:19 GMT -8
It looks like the parking structure is coming up really fast. Maybe it will be ready after all by the time revenue service begins this fall.
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Post by jamesinclair on Mar 1, 2011 0:04:30 GMT -8
Parking structures can certainly support retail.
The giant parking monster in SF has retail all along the base, conveneince store, cell phone store, etc.
The Alewife parking garage/station in Boston has a Bertuccis restaurant (think olive garden) a Dunkin Donuts, BoA ATMs and dry cleaning. I think a abr too, not sure if its still there.
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Post by Gokhan on Mar 1, 2011 13:03:37 GMT -8
They were installing the steps on the west stairs of the La Cienega Station yesterday. The stairs are looking better with the steps installed. I wonder what else is still missing on these stairs:
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Post by Gokhan on Mar 1, 2011 13:13:33 GMT -8
it was great to finally meet Darrell Clarke, But Gokham where were you? I wanted to meet you too! I haven't been to the Phase 1 meetings in a long time but I hope to come to the Phase 2 meetings, starting in April.
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Post by James Fujita on Mar 1, 2011 14:29:24 GMT -8
Gokhan, in answer to your question, I don't see any railing on those stairs. We're building a transit system, not the Death Star ;D = Considering the parking structure, I do think that full-scale retail and parking structures can mix, I just don't see that happening in this particular instance (it can be a huge pain in the neck to retrofit an already under construction structure for additional walls). And while I was definitely thinking "ice cream vendor" or "street taco cart guy", I hadn't considered the possibility of parking lot food van. You'd have to restripe the lanes, of course, since food trucks tend to need more space. It reminds me of how Anime Expo organizers invited food trucks to take over a parking lot near the convention center. People enjoyed the tacos way more than they missed the overflow parking...
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Post by metrocenter on Mar 1, 2011 15:47:15 GMT -8
The following image is of 19th Avenue / SF State station on San Francisco's M-Oceanview line. I spent many of my young-adult years waiting for that train. I'm looking forward to similar pictures of USC/Expo station, hopefully later this year. And hopefully with better weather.
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Post by Gokhan on Mar 4, 2011 14:02:05 GMT -8
The latest info: The contractor train testing is scheduled to start later this month and Metro will do prerevenue service (regular operations but with no passengers) in the summer. Even though the substantial completion will take place late May, Expo is not optimistic in finishing the remainder of the project before November; so, the line won't open until then. The Farmdale Station will not hold down the project -- it's not required for it to open.
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Post by jamesinclair on Mar 4, 2011 21:04:08 GMT -8
If they dont open the line before football season, they are idiots and should all be fired and fined.
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Post by tobias087 on Mar 4, 2011 23:46:04 GMT -8
What is the difference between "substantial completion" and "the remainder of the project?"
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Post by Justin Walker on Mar 5, 2011 1:03:33 GMT -8
What is the difference between "substantial completion" and "the remainder of the project?" Substantial completion is a construction term for when a contractor considers a project to be completed in compliance with the project contract and ready for use by the owner. At this point, the owner inspects the project and prepares a punch list of project elements that they don't feel are completed or correct. Final corrections are then made. Why they project needing six months between substantial completion and revenue service is beyond me, though...
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Post by Gokhan on Mar 5, 2011 6:02:40 GMT -8
Why they project needing six months between substantial completion and revenue service is beyond me, though... I am guessing extensive testing and coordination of traffic signals with LADOT. Normally testing takes five months and you would think the line would open in late August. But the traffic-signal coordination with LADOT has become a huge issue. So, perhaps this is the reason for the likely three-month delay.
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Post by bluelineshawn on Mar 5, 2011 7:47:51 GMT -8
I think that it's just CYA. They announced that the gold line east la would be opening in "weeks" and placed ambassadors at intersections and then had to suffer through months of delays due to problems with tracks/painted concrete and IINM problems with the ventilation in the tunnel not meeting federal code.
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Post by Gokhan on Mar 5, 2011 11:38:29 GMT -8
Normally testing takes five months and you would think the line would open in late August. The original substantial-completion date was February 1, 2010, and the revenue-operations start date was July 1, 2010. Now, the substantial-completion date is late May / early June 2011 and adding five months as above results in late October / early November 2011. But note that they are starting the train testing in late March / early April. This might help push the opening day earlier a month or two. Or, perhaps, seven months of train testing is needed.
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Post by trackman on Mar 5, 2011 14:12:24 GMT -8
I think testing has more to do with the different segments. Some segments will be ready before others. Right?
I am assuming this because the debate at one time had to do with the initial station terminus that Expo would open to; Crenshaw, La Cienega, or Culver City. Farmdale was not an option, but may be another reason for a delay.
The extended testing period is probably the difference between the first segment that is ready for testing (initial test day), versus the last segment that is ready for testing (its final test days).
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Post by jeisenbe on Mar 5, 2011 23:09:36 GMT -8
Did they spend 5 months testing buses on the Orange Line before opening it? Sheesh. The concerns about railway safety in this country are out of control. I can see the benefit of a month of pre-revenue service, and a month before that to try things out, but 5 or 6 or 7 months is silly. Imagine if it took half a year of testing before a bus could be operated on a new route, or before a new street was opened to cars!
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Post by tonyw79sfv on Mar 5, 2011 23:21:14 GMT -8
The past Metro projects, Orange Line and Gold Line Eastside Extension, were originally slated to open summer 2005 and summer 2009, only to be opened in the fall of the same years, respectively. It just seems like things take longer to accomplish these days. I believe I read somewhere that the Blue Line started construction in 1987 and opened in 1990 (from Pico to Willow) with the full segment opening in 1991; and here, we're waiting 9 - 10 years for LRT construction on the shorter length (than Blue Line) Expo Line to reach Santa Monica! Did they spend 5 months testing buses on the Orange Line before opening it? Sheesh. The concerns about railway safety in this country are out of control. I can see the benefit of a month of pre-revenue service, and a month before that to try things out, but 5 or 6 or 7 months is silly. Imagine if it took half a year of testing before a bus could be operated on a new route, or before a new street was opened to cars!
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Post by mattapoisett on Mar 6, 2011 9:54:04 GMT -8
Did they spend 5 months testing buses on the Orange Line before opening it? No, which is why the Orange Line started hitting cars immediately and Metro had to go back a few months later and institute the 10 mph street crossing policy.
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Mar 6, 2011 13:48:06 GMT -8
OK, for the die hards - here is a 16 minute video of the Expo Line Phase I - I took yesterday while in town.
It looks very much done. Still crews working, but it's easy to imagine trains in the very near future.
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Post by trackman on Mar 6, 2011 18:10:20 GMT -8
I have driven the entire length too. But, I always think of it as like building a house. When the framing is up and the roof is overhead, it appears ready to move in. But, the kitchen cabinets and sink need installing, walls need to be painted, doors and doornobs hung or installed.
That is what I think of Expo right now. It appears near-ready, but there is probably lots of little stuff that still need to be finished that are unseen to our eyes, or, we are just not familiar with the fine-grain stuff.
No, I do not think the landscaping would hold up the project.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Mar 6, 2011 18:31:57 GMT -8
Thanks for the video Alex. Line is looking good. I'm looking forward to the USC trench section and the Culver City segments. Look like speed will dominate. I am fearful of the Flower running section south of Washington, especially with the carpool on-ramp at Adams, it appears cars will be on the tracks for 10 feet of the actual train tracks. Looks streetcarish there. Also, I'll make a bold prediction, but I wouldn't be surprised if a dangerous car-train accident happens at Exposition-Rodeo. That looks to be a dangerous cross section with the road split. Out of all the sections that need crossing arms, that should be the highest priority. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I suggest you drive to Exposition/Rodeo west of Vermont and you'll see what I mean.
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Post by jamesinclair on Mar 6, 2011 18:52:49 GMT -8
Why does the USC ped crossing have two new overhead masts? (12:36 - 12:44)
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Post by spokker on Mar 6, 2011 21:22:46 GMT -8
The drive-by shows how many red lights Expo Line trains will be waiting at.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Mar 6, 2011 21:53:39 GMT -8
The drive-by shows how many red lights Expo Line trains will be waiting at. Hopefully Expo Line gets Washington street signal synchronization and not Long Beach Blue Line streetcar lighting....
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Post by darrell on Mar 6, 2011 23:16:52 GMT -8
Great video, Alex! That sure captures my experience driving along the line. I saw paving being done on eastbound Exposition Blvd. on Friday, and your video showed driving on it Saturday. Here are three more photos from Friday: Here's an insulating joint and power feeders in the catenary at Jefferson, with detail below. A tree is being planted at Watt Way in front of USC. The existing road is being scraped for new pavement east of Crenshaw. Note the lit message signs at the station! The camera shutter is too quick to capture the whole message.
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Post by Justin Walker on Mar 6, 2011 23:22:52 GMT -8
I'm looking forward to the USC trench section and the Culver City segments. Look like speed will dominate. The trench will be speedy in that it will allow trains to zip under Figueroa, Flower, and Exposition without stopping for cross traffic. However, the speed will be limited to 25 MPH through the curved portion of the trench. I am fearful of the Flower running section south of Washington, especially with the carpool on-ramp at Adams, it appears cars will be on the tracks for 10 feet of the actual train tracks. Looks streetcarish there. Expo staff has told me that there will be an all-red phase for vehicular traffic through the Flower/28th/Harbor Transitway intersection when trains are passing through. This is principally to keep drivers on southbound Flower from turning left in front of trains to enter the Harbor Transitway. Sounds nice and safe but I just hope trains won't have to stop and wait for this all-red phase to be called.
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Post by metrocenter on Mar 7, 2011 8:57:28 GMT -8
Well I'm curious to find out about the Expo Phase I storage facility near the Blue Line Washington station. The Project Status Update report from the February board meeting says that the storage facility is critical to the project (page 7). On the next page, the report says no contract has yet been awarded for the facility, and lists it as the first of several "outstanding risk items", describing the facility as "currently re-scoping". This raises some serious questions. First, how critical is this storage facility to the project? Why is it being rescoped? At minimum, the project will require a bunch of trackwork, with a substation and overhead wires. What buildings are going to be required? Is the surface already prepared for construction? How far along is the rescoping? How long will it take to get a contract approved, once the facility is rescoped? And how long will something like this take to build, once the contract is approved? All of this could be why they are allowing so much time for the Expo project to open. It looks like the next Expo Board meeting is next week, March 18. Maybe someone can attend, and ask the Board to explain what is happening with this storage facility.
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Post by Gokhan on Mar 7, 2011 9:39:02 GMT -8
Well I'm curious to find out about the Expo Phase I storage facility near the Blue Line Washington station. From what I heard recently, the storage facility isn't required for the Phase 1 opening. It will in fact open after Phase 1 opens and meanwhile Expo trains will use the Blue Line facility and the unused right-of-way (west of La Cienega). The reason why the facility was rescoped is to save money. That's also why it's open to bid by different contractors. Ultimately the Stewart St / Exposition Blvd facility will store the Expo trains when it's built. It's also going to be under a separate contract (than the main Phase 2 contract). The biggest concern is the availability of LRVs, as Metro not only hasn't purchased any new light-rail trains yet but also hasn't announced such a pending purchase. We will see if the extra Blue, Gold, and Green Line trains will be enough. Things are even more worrisome for 2015, when Expo Phase 2 and Gold Line Foothill Extension will need many dozen more LRVs, and there is a good possibility that they won't be available nearly on time.
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Post by metrocenter on Mar 7, 2011 14:34:29 GMT -8
The biggest concern is the availability of LRVs, as Metro not only hasn't purchased any new light-rail trains yet but also hasn't announced such a pending purchase. We will see if the extra Blue, Gold, and Green Line trains will be enough. Things are even more worrisome for 2015, when Expo Phase 2 and Gold Line Foothill Extension will need many dozen more LRVs, and there is a good possibility that they won't be available nearly on time. In June of last year, the Metro Board was asked to approve a solicitation of a new LRV contract (for "P3000" vehicles). The Metro Board punted this solicitation until October, because Ridley-Thomas wanted to include language supporting disadvantaged local businesses. Ultimately, in October, the Metro Board approved a solicitation for procurement of the next-generation vehicles, now known as "P3100" vehicles. Metro expects to award a contract within a year of Board approval (i.e., contract by October 2011). Metro then expects that it will take "at least 24 months" to design and deliver a prototype for testing: this brings us out to at least late 2013 (but more likely 2014). The original staff recommendation in June addressed Expo Phase I: "Expo Phase I will begin revenue operation using LRVs from the existing fleet until the first P3000 cars begin to arrive in 2014." The base buy of 78 new cars is to be divided among the projects as follows: - Expo Phase I -- 16 LRVs
- Expo Phase II -- 47 LRVs
- Foothill Extension -- 15 LRVs
In my opinion, Metro has created quite a bit of risk to itself, by waiting so long to start the procurement process. Metro may wind up not having enough vehicles for all of its new projects. Mark-Ridley Thomas' insistence on favoring disadvantaged local companies delayed the solicitation by four months. When 2014 comes, Metro is going to be wishing it hadn't dragged its feet for so long.
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