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Post by Jason Saunders on Sept 12, 2008 11:23:22 GMT -8
While were on the topic of the Union Station Red Line station, Here is a factoid that some of you may not know. In order to construct the Red Line station underneath the Amtrack tracks at union station everything "historic" above the station was numbered and removed. A huge open air pit was then dug and the Red Line station was constructed under blue skys. They then built back up to train level and rebuilt the train yard above the station. The concourse that goes from Patasourous Plaza to Union Station proper is not the original but a reproduction designed to look like the original. When they rebuilt it they decided not to remove the portals for the very farthest tracks and now when you walk by you can see indentions where the portals once were.
What surprised me to know that the Red Line tunnel does not actually travel under the historic Union Station building but bends around it to the north. The Red Line station it self runs diagonal to the tracks and buildings above.
Also, the water table is very high at this location as that is where the Los Angeles river "once" flowed. They had to pump millions of gallons of water out and build slurry walls. If you notice on the walls of the station today you can see places where water has trickled into the station through cracks.
This Red Line station was a very tricky thing to construct.
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Post by Justin Walker on Sept 12, 2008 14:22:02 GMT -8
Ah yes. It is truly remarkable that the Red Line was built at LAUS the way it was. Here's one of the coolest Red Line pics around:
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Post by jejozwik on Sept 12, 2008 16:37:18 GMT -8
jeez... union station looked so lame back then!
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Mac
Full Member
Posts: 192
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Post by Mac on Sept 12, 2008 20:20:33 GMT -8
jeez... union station looked so lame back then! The platforms looked ugly back then and they still look ugly now. Google Earth it and you will see that the platforms haven't changed in appearance. Since we are on the topic of LAUS, does anybody have an update on the run through tracks project? It it just going to be built along with the HSR?
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Post by bobdavis on Sept 12, 2008 22:04:36 GMT -8
Remember that in 1991 Metrolink was still in the future. Union Station had somewhat more traffic with the increase in San Diegans, so it wasn't quite the "Alameda Street Mausoleum" of the 70's, but it was a far cry from the busy hub it is today. Run-through tracks program seems to have gone "dormant"; a few years ago there were presentations of possible routings, but apparently they're all gathering dust at this time.
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Post by jejozwik on Sept 13, 2008 8:05:05 GMT -8
jeez... union station looked so lame back then! The platforms looked ugly back then and they still look ugly now. Google Earth it and you will see that the platforms haven't changed in appearance. Since we are on the topic of LAUS, does anybody have an update on the run through tracks project? It it just going to be built along with the HSR? i was talking more about the surrounding area. and the apparent nothingness
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Post by Jason Saunders on Sept 19, 2008 12:41:03 GMT -8
In the 90's , there were plans to build several high and mid rise towers around Union Station. Patasourous plaza was to be ringed by them on both sides. This is why there are two big voids to the east of the Plaza. The only tall building to actually be built on the 51 acre site are Metro HQ (1995) and Metropolitan Water District (1998). The new apartments north of Union Station are downsized from the renderings I have seen. In fact I doubt they are the same project. The land is owned by Cattelus Development Corp, The real estate spin off of Union Pacific, that was latter purchased by Prologis, an industrial land company.
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Post by Tony Fernandez on Sept 19, 2008 12:52:03 GMT -8
That picture makes Union Station look simply tiny. I can't wait to see how CAHSR will improve Union Station.
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Post by Jason Saunders on Sept 19, 2008 13:00:12 GMT -8
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