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Post by Gokhan on Aug 12, 2010 17:03:56 GMT -8
Still no view of the inside of the hole in the ground.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 13, 2010 15:17:20 GMT -8
No rail installation at least until next weekend, sewer installation continues:
What: Intermittent lane closures for sewer line installation When: August 16, 2010 through August 19, 2010 Daytime Work Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Nighttime Work Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Where: Intersection of Farmdale Avenue and Exposition Boulevard
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 19, 2010 15:22:09 GMT -8
Utility work at Farmdale will continue at least through September 12, with full closure of Farmdale starting Monday:
As part of the construction of the Expo Line project, work crews will implement a temporary full closure at the intersection of Farmdale Avenue and Exposition Boulevard for duct bank installation and civil improvements. The work is being managed and performed by the design-build contractor FCI/Fluor/Parsons (FFP, a Joint Venture) and its subcontractors.
What: Temporary intersection closure When: Continuous Work Hours 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 23, 2010 through 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12, 2010 Where: Intersection of Farmdale Avenue and Exposition Boulevard (between Exposition Boulevard and Exposition Place)
Traffic Impacts: The following detours will be in effect and traffic will be directed to follow appropriate detour signs– • Northbound traffic on Farmdale Avenue will be detoured east at Exposition Place. • Southbound traffic on Farmdale Avenue will be detoured east at Jefferson Boulevard. • Eastbound traffic on Exposition Boulevard will be detoured north at Harcourt Avenue. • Westbound traffic on Exposition Boulevard will be detoured north at Farmdale Avenue. • Local and pedestrian access will be maintained and detour will be directed by flaggers. • Directional signage and electronic message boards will be used to safely direct drivers around the construction zones in order to minimize the disruption to traffic.
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 19, 2010 16:47:21 GMT -8
Whoa. Three full weeks of work, "continuous work hours", with Farmdale and Exposition shut down.
This is clearly a hard push to finish this sewer work ASAP. I'll bet they are trying to avoid causing a traffic nightmare for the high school, which will be starting its fall semester on September 13.
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Post by darrell on Aug 24, 2010 16:49:46 GMT -8
Here's a view of the Farmdale crossing last night. No work was going on when I was there, but you can see a backhoe that has dug up some of the pavement. I can't see clearly if that included removing the old track.
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Post by darrell on Aug 28, 2010 11:23:22 GMT -8
There was a lot of activity yesterday at Farmdale, but nothing much new to see. There's a big hole in the middle of the intersection; note the top of the yellow ladder on the far right. The plastic pipes are electrical conduit.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 30, 2010 23:09:24 GMT -8
Well, the deadline to file a lawsuit against the CPUC Farmdale ruling has just passed. Therefore, the last threat by Fix Expo has turned out to be unsubstantiated. Good riddance to Fix Expo one more time.
But will Fix Expo and R-T now try to turn Expo Authority upside down through this "Ethics Inspection" business? I doubt the motion will be seconded. We'll wait and find out on Thursday. And isn't it ironic how some people try to reflect their shortcomings on others? Hopefully for once things will turn around and backfire upon them. We really don't need this nasty politics anymore.
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 2, 2010 17:51:29 GMT -8
Believe it or not, despite all the proceedings having been closed, Fix Expo and NFSR have filed another motion to CPUC for a rehearing on Farmdale.
Note that the attorney for Fix Expo is from San Francisco and it's the same attorney who sued Metro and got the Bus Riders Union Metro consent decree. He seems to resent Los Angeles and try to screw the city and also he sees Metro as an easy-to-conquer treasure. Will they ever concede?
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Sept 2, 2010 18:36:32 GMT -8
Believe it or not, despite all the proceedings having been closed, Fix Expo and NFSR have filed another motion to CPUC for a rehearing on Farmdale. Note that the attorney for Fix Expo is from San Francisco and it's the same attorney who sued Metro and got the Bus Riders Union Metro consent decree. He seems to resent Los Angeles and try to screw the city and also he sees Metro as an easy-to-conquer treasure. Will they ever concede? Can anything result from this? Will construction on the Farmdale crossing stop?
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Post by darrell on Sept 2, 2010 18:53:31 GMT -8
Can anything result from this? Will construction on the Farmdale crossing stop? I don't believe the CPUC needs even to respond to the petition, and by their actions during the last year they clearly want Farmdale to be done. At any rate, tracks across Farmdale will likely be complete within a few days. Crossposting from the main Expo thread today: Looks like the trench for the Farmdale crossing has been dug. Stacks of ties have been staged on Exposition Blvd. and along the right-of-way between Farmdale and the current end of track east of La Brea. Rail ribbons are poised on the La Brea track for installation across the Farmdale gap.
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 3, 2010 13:07:03 GMT -8
Reposting from Expo Phase 1 developments: The trackbed is graded at Farmdale and ready for the installation of the at-grade rail crossing there. It will likely be done this weekend. There were already Balfour Beatty Rail people there: And this is looking toward La Brea, showing that everything is ready for the new tracks. Dorsey High is in the background: While I was taking the pictures, a local came up to me and asked me "When will it be finished?" I replied "In a few weeks." He then said, "Really, so the tracks will be finished and I can ride the train in a few weeks?" I then told him that that would be next year and he will be able to ride the train in one year from now. This is the second time an excited local was talking to me about the train while I was taking pictures. The neighborhood is very excited about the train and they can't wait to ride it.
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Post by bobdavis on Sept 3, 2010 18:22:59 GMT -8
Yep, real people who don't have an "axe to grind" want the trains! (And they're smart enough to stay out of the way when the trains go by)
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Post by rajacobs on Sept 3, 2010 19:33:05 GMT -8
I heard the same thing when I was walking arould Farmdale a few weeks ago and asking folks I passed on the street. Rather than concern or fear, I heard anticipation and excitement.
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Post by darrell on Sept 3, 2010 23:07:21 GMT -8
A FixExpo statement and link to their CPUC motion were posted today on Streetsblog. It reminds me of "birther" Orly Taitz: Taitz has filed a "motion for reconsideration" with the court, according to documents posted on her web site, claiming that she has new evidence that President Obama is not an American citizen.
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 4, 2010 2:18:15 GMT -8
A FixExpo statement and link to their CPUC motion were posted today on Streetsblog. It reminds me of "birther" Orly Taitz: Taitz has filed a "motion for reconsideration" with the court, according to documents posted on her web site, claiming that she has new evidence that President Obama is not an American citizen. Fix Expo, his attorney, and NFSR are as delusional as always. Their CPUC appeal lawsuit will be dismissed in a breeze just like NFSR's Phase 2 FEIR lawsuit. Where do such people find such negative energy? What drives such people to oppose other people's constructive contributions to the world? I'm trying to understand the roots of such negative psychology with this people. Oh, well, things are shaping up pretty well with Expo and these guys will only get a "Sigh..." from us the supporters now, as their efforts can no longer make a noticeable effect on the project.
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 4, 2010 12:32:17 GMT -8
For the leadership of this group, I suspect that Farmdale is a single battleground in a wider battle against perceived injustice and disrespect to the community. Yes delusional. This delusion is mixed with pride which prevents certain people to accept loss gracefully.
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Post by rajacobs on Sept 4, 2010 17:32:09 GMT -8
...It is only in FixExpo's mind. There are real injustices and real issues in our community and this is not one of them.
I remember when this man went off on Darrel, publicly on this board, and the moderator had to remove his posting. I also listened to the earlier Expo meeting a week and a half ago when this man went off on Bernard Parks. Additionally we've heard recently about how he was brought up on charges of abuse of someone he was living with.
These are things that someone does who is given to abuse and who has an unaddressed problem (& Expo is not it!). He's not someone who leaders in the community of color are about to join forces with. Expo is proceeding with his demand in an orderely fashion, as they should, giving no ground for further outburst. Let's hope the air clears ...soon.
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 4, 2010 19:35:46 GMT -8
^ You chopped my sentence, I said I'm guessing that's what's in their minds. I also said yes it is delusional.
To paraphrase Damien himself, they've been drinking the KoolAid so long that's all they know. Damien's tactics were those of a bully, I have no sympathy for him or his twisted viewpoint.
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Post by rajacobs on Sept 4, 2010 19:48:38 GMT -8
Yes, metrocenter. we're on the same page! The reality of having to confront and deal with that energy is quite frustrating...
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 6, 2010 16:43:05 GMT -8
There is no Farmdale at-grade-track-crossing installation as of this weekend. Note that the school starts next week. We'll check again next Monday.
Farmdale was no-man's-land today and there was no work anywhere along the Expo right-of-way because of Labor Day.
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Post by darrell on Sept 7, 2010 10:44:29 GMT -8
(Cross-posting, since these threads overlap) A grader is at work at the Farmdale intersection this morning. Gravel is being dumped. Neither Exposition nor Farmdale allow through traffic. Looks like an all out effort is underway to complete the crossing before school begins. Thanks for the update. Here's a view looking east toward Farmdale on Sunday afternoon. Ties had been placed here, with rails alongside, but not across Farmdale (which still looked like Gokhan's last photos), and there were no workers.
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 7, 2010 14:33:06 GMT -8
(Cross-posting, since these threads overlap) A grader is at work at the Farmdale intersection this morning. Gravel is being dumped. Neither Exposition nor Farmdale allow through traffic. Looks like an all out effort is underway to complete the crossing before school begins. Thanks for the update. Here's a view looking east toward Farmdale on Sunday afternoon. Ties had been placed here, with rails alongside, but not across Farmdale (which still looked like Gokhan's last photos), and there were no workers. Note the green pipes. They are what is holding the construction. They are for the train-communications duct bank and they must be installed before the tracks.
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 7, 2010 16:01:28 GMT -8
Specifically, aqua. How appropriate.
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 7, 2010 20:45:41 GMT -8
Could this happen here? I was in San Francisco recently wandering around the Duboce Triangle neighborhood west of downtown. One of the Muni’s light rail lines runs through the area and I couldn’t help but notice that within a two-block stretch it hit what would likely be the perfect trifecta of controversy here in the L.A. area, as shown by the following photos: Here the train runs down the middle of a residential street… And then it passes within a few feet of a children’s playground in Duboce Park, albeit separated by a fence but with an adjacent pedestrian crossing with no gates…. And then the train heads into the Sunset tunnel underneath million-dollar homes. Of course, this is the difference between building rail many decades ago and building it now. The Judah line was originally a streetcar line constructed in the early 20th century and later converted to a light rail line. So the city has literally had years to grow up around the train and grow accustomed to it being there. -- Steve Hymon
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Post by darrell on Sept 7, 2010 20:53:52 GMT -8
Note the green pipes. They are what is holding the construction. They are for the train-communications duct bank and they must be installed before the tracks. Are you sure? I thought the large green (yup, aqua!) pipes are for drainage, and the smaller gray PVC like in the center of this earlier Farmdale photo are for the ductbank.
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 7, 2010 20:58:37 GMT -8
Are you sure? I thought the large green (yup, aqua!) pipes are for drainage, and the smaller gray PVC like in the center of this earlier Farmdale photo are for the ductbank. Well, one or the other, but that makes sense because you don't need pipes that big for a few electric wires. In any case they both need to go in the right place before track installation.
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Post by azndevil97 on Sept 8, 2010 10:57:48 GMT -8
Gokhan, It's funny you posted this. I was in SF for labor day weekend. I flew into SFO, proceeded on to the BART, then used the Muni subway to get to the Castro District where my friend lives. On the way, I was imagining how great it would be to have something like this from LAX! It would be nice to traverse from the Miracle Mile, to LAX without using my car! Whenever I'm in town, I like to observe all the mass transit SF residents have. light rail, buses, street cars, etc. It's nice. I too noticed in that some of the light rail stations (namely in the mission district) they cross streets without any guards, and surprise! People are still alive! I hope someday we can be a city like SF (minus the weather of course) Could this happen here? I was in San Francisco recently wandering around the Duboce Triangle neighborhood west of downtown. One of the Muni’s light rail lines runs through the area and I couldn’t help but notice that within a two-block stretch it hit what would likely be the perfect trifecta of controversy here in the L.A. area, as shown by the following photos: Here the train runs down the middle of a residential street… And then it passes within a few feet of a children’s playground in Duboce Park, albeit separated by a fence but with an adjacent pedestrian crossing with no gates…. And then the train heads into the Sunset tunnel underneath million-dollar homes. Of course, this is the difference between building rail many decades ago and building it now. The Judah line was originally a streetcar line constructed in the early 20th century and later converted to a light rail line. So the city has literally had years to grow up around the train and grow accustomed to it being there. -- Steve Hymon
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Post by darrell on Sept 8, 2010 14:48:04 GMT -8
Here's the latest on Farmdale, under a dark sky mid-day today. A large concrete box was being installed into a hole in Exposition Blvd. east of Farmdale, and the sewer work west of Farmdale is still a hole in the street (orange cones on left). Conveniently they've maintained a pedestrian crossing on the east side of Farmdale (where the orange vests are), from which I took the next two photos. Ballast has been spread and rails set down through the remaining section, looking west (above, where rails are now mounted on the ties) and east (below, also note the big green drain risers on the right). They're getting really close to completion!
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 8, 2010 15:44:52 GMT -8
Nice pics. It's getting there fast.
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 8, 2010 16:19:00 GMT -8
The stretch of San Francisco Muni tracks shown in Steve Hymon's pictures is between the Sunset Tunnel and the Market Street tunnel. As in other places in San Francisco, trains run in traffic lanes along Duboce Avenue. Everybody is aware of the trains, and you would be laughed out of town if you suggested the trains were too unsafe to keep around.
Along this particular stretch, the train speed never exceeds 10-15 mph. (Trains go a bit faster in other street-running sections.) This speed which would be unacceptable in Los Angeles over any significant distance. It works in San Francisco because the distances are so small and the alternative (driving) is unacceptable. Despite the similar vehicles, our light-rail lines actually operate as rapid transit lines, rather than streetcars.
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