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Post by Gokhan on Nov 19, 2010 22:40:18 GMT -8
Here are a few pics from yesterday (Thursday). The latest shape of the Venice/Robertson Station: Exposition/Rodeo Boulevards (aka Gramercy Place) crossing features many signs, such as "Do not stop on tracks," "Wait here," and "Keep clear:" They tore down a section of the concrete and were repairing the embedded track by USC's Watt Way:
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Post by rajacobs on Nov 22, 2010 8:21:41 GMT -8
..So yesterday afternoon, we walked down National toward La Cienega and noticed the green fencing all along the rails between Wesley and the Jefferson MSE. I couldn't help but reflect on the comments regarding rail trespass and imagined that the fences should decidedly prevent that. At Jefferson we went north, under the rail bridge and over Ballona Creek, then followed the bike ramp down to the park. and north to Jacob, then west ...towards our starting point. I couldn't help but notice, as we moved farther west, how the streets to the left were just stubs, and the visual of walls, fences, or MSE reduces their appeal. One one street, you could clearly see on Hayden, the mask-like protrusion of the "What Wall?" building that lies just behind the Gateway Art Tower by architect Eric Owen Moss. We laughed; I said to my wife, "I wouldn't want to see that 'face' peeping through the end of my street!" Then as we proceeded farther west along Jacob, the MSE for the National Bl. bridge and approach to the Venice Robertson station began blocking the southward view. I wished that additional homes could have been purchased and removed, and landscaping and trees offered as a transition to the MSE visual, creating a park-like atmosphere along the bike path. For the first time, I could begin to understand some of the fears that residents west of Overland must have regarding the Expo line construction ...and also concluded that an MSE in that strip west of Overland would be about the worst thing that could be done aesthetically. I guess that as I'm awaiting the Expo Line, "with baited breath" ...and I really am; I'm also glad it isn't going to impact me visually as it does for residents of these streets south of Jacob in Culver City.
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Post by metrocenter on Nov 22, 2010 8:42:45 GMT -8
^^ Thanks for the report. That's an interesting neighborhood, located right in between several industrial areas and streets. Looking at some of the old Google Maps images, it looks like the neighborhood streets near the ROW had visual problems before the Expo Line was being built, including some trash filled lots (and an abandoned ROW).
What would be really nice would be if the bike lane could be wide enough, with landscaping, to add some beauty to all of those street deadends between Jacob and National. If the city could buy up one lot on the end of each of those streets, it could basically extend Syd Kronenthal Park west along the ROW. This would help make the neighborhood look nicer.
As for the folks near Overland, I can understand anybody objecting to an aerial right-of-way running through their single-family neighborhood. All the more reason to leave the tracks at-grade. A subway/trench is not an option: there is simply no justification for the high cost this trench would require.
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Post by darrell on Nov 22, 2010 17:07:51 GMT -8
Here are four more from yesterday afternoon... Looks like work is finally beginning on rebuilding the median along the Blue Line's tracks on Flower for its future landscaping (below). Power feeder cables are coiled on a pole by the substation west of Gramercy. Looking west (above) and east (below) from National and Wesley in Culver City. Note the soundwall posts as well as the green fencing. Also, I think the bottom forms have been released, at least near the abutment, so could be coming down soon.
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Post by pithecanthropus on Nov 22, 2010 18:14:14 GMT -8
My guess is that eventually they will run four different routes (SM - PD, SM - ES, LB - PD, LB - ES), no matter what the plans are now. If that happens could they add a lettering system for the individual trains, e.g. the "A" train might run between SM and PD, the "B" train between LB and East L.A., and so on?
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Post by ieko on Nov 22, 2010 18:42:07 GMT -8
Metro put letters on the current lines, but I think they're gone now. It was very subtlety added to the timetables.
I can't see this as more than two lines, operationally it makes no sense to have four lines when they give many chances for transferring.
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Post by bobdavis on Nov 22, 2010 20:25:32 GMT -8
What ever happened regarding a VIP Hi-Railer tour of the new tracks? Did I miss something or will it be next month? The Transport Politic website had the Expo line opening this year; I sent Mr. Freemark an update and he will change it to "next spring" until a more exact date is available. We certainly hope that at least part of it will be running by June 20, 2011.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 22, 2010 21:46:04 GMT -8
What ever happened regarding a VIP Hi-Railer tour of the new tracks? Did I miss something or will it be next month? The Transport Politic website had the Expo line opening this year; I sent Mr. Freemark an update and he will change it to "next spring" until a more exact date is available. We certainly hope that at least part of it will be running by June 20, 2011. VIP tour probably happened but we weren't invited because it would require to invite the NIMBYs as well, who would completely ruin the tour. Given that the substantial completion is currently scheduled to take place on May 28, I give 2% chance that the line could open in June or earlier. I give 10% chance for a July or earlier opening, 50% chance for an August or earlier opening, 70% chance for a September or earlier opening, and 90% chance for a December or earlier opening.
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Post by Justin Walker on Nov 22, 2010 21:56:37 GMT -8
What ever happened regarding a VIP Hi-Railer tour of the new tracks? Did I miss something or will it be next month? Gokhan could be right, although I saw portions of the line every day last week and the tracks never appeared to be completely cleared off. The hi-rail ride was an official proposal, though. It is mentioned in the October board meeting minutes: CEO Comments: Mr. Thorpe reported that the Contractors are making very good progress and are finishing up the actual trackwork as indicated by the Project Update. He also commented that the Board Secretary is in the process of polling Board Members, the Metro Board Chair and the Mayor of Los Angeles, for a high rail alignment tour on the tracks of the entire alignment, for the week of November 15th. It's also possible that the hi-rail ride has just taken a little longer to plan than Rick Thorpe initially expected.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Nov 22, 2010 23:09:54 GMT -8
Ughhh....look who's on Facebook: de-de.facebook.com/pages/Neighbors-for-Smart-Rail/112545065453009Anybody want to "Like" this and comment to their inaccuracies? Apparently, more buses on Westwood and Sepulveda are bad!!! This group doesn't understand the purpose of urban areas (they live in the middle of Los Angeles) and the needs for public transit over private transit. And trains bring big bad development...oooohhhhh. Makes you wonder why places with "bad bad development....oooohhhhh" like Hollywood, Downtown LA, Santa Monica, Long Beach, etc.... are more popular than Valencia, Downey, Arcadia with low-end development. oooohhhhhhh....
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 22, 2010 23:48:11 GMT -8
Ughhh....look who's on Facebook: de-de.facebook.com/pages/Neighbors-for-Smart-Rail/112545065453009Anybody want to "Like" this and comment to their inaccuracies? Apparently, more buses on Westwood and Sepulveda are bad!!! This group doesn't understand the purpose of urban areas (they live in the middle of Los Angeles) and the needs for public transit over private transit. And trains bring big bad development...oooohhhhh. Makes you wonder why places with "bad bad development....oooohhhhh" like Hollywood, Downtown LA, Santa Monica, Long Beach, etc.... are more popular than Valencia, Downey, Arcadia with low-end development. oooohhhhhhh.... I won't bother "Liking" them and comment on their page. Besides everyone knows how I feel about them and "Liking" them to write about them would be an oxymoron. What they are overlooking is that with such a negative page, they won't go anywhere. Just compare it to our Hello Expo page, which is nothing but positive things.
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Post by trackman on Nov 23, 2010 6:14:31 GMT -8
If substantial completion is in late May, and that is when "pre-revenue" service begins - consisting of 8-12 weeks of testing and so forth, I would give both June and July a 0 percent chance for a passenger service to begin. And, maybe a 20 percent chance for August. 40 percent chance for September and October.
I suppose this guessing game happens with all new lines?
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Nov 23, 2010 7:57:34 GMT -8
Correct me if I'm wrong...but "substantial completion" means to La Cienega boulevard, right?
Has any word come out on substantial completion to Venice/Robertson? If it's only within 4 months, I would say let's wait for the full Phase I line to open. Venice/Robertson is a significant new station; it will have more use than 23rd, Adams, Vermont, Western, Crenshaw, Farmdale, La Brea and La Cienega...maybe even USC/Expo Park. It would be nice to have that shown off on opening day other than a quiet opening 4 or 5 months later. If it takes a full year for Venice/Robertson to be ready...then do the short line opening first.
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Post by metrocenter on Nov 23, 2010 8:26:38 GMT -8
I suppose this guessing game happens with all new lines? We had this guessing game less than two months ago. Although without the additional twist of "percent certainty". My two cents: I am 98% certain the line will open in 2011.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 23, 2010 9:33:42 GMT -8
If substantial completion is in late May, and that is when "pre-revenue" service begins - consisting of 8-12 weeks of testing and so forth, I would give both June and July a 0 percent chance for a passenger service to begin. And, maybe a 20 percent chance for August. 40 percent chance for September and October. I suppose this guessing game happens with all new lines? Just to set the rail mumbo jumbo straight, prerevenue service refers to the final five weeks of systems testing, where the trains are run in regular service but without passengers. The systems testing (including prerevenue) can take up to five months, some of which can overlap with the construction (start before the substantial completion).
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 23, 2010 9:42:10 GMT -8
Correct me if I'm wrong...but "substantial completion" means to La Cienega boulevard, right? Has any word come out on substantial completion to Venice/Robertson? If it's only within 4 months, I would say let's wait for the full Phase I line to open. Venice/Robertson is a significant new station; it will have more use than 23rd, Adams, Vermont, Western, Crenshaw, Farmdale, La Brea and La Cienega...maybe even USC/Expo Park. It would be nice to have that shown off on opening day other than a quiet opening 4 or 5 months later. If it takes a full year for Venice/Robertson to be ready...then do the short line opening first. Yes, the substantial completion is to Wesley St and doesn't include the Venice/Robertson superstructure, La Cienega parking facility, and storage facility. I'm not sure what the currently projected substantial-completion date for the Venice/Robertson Station is but I'm guessing it's December 2011 or so. (It also doesn't include the Culver City parking facility). It could perhaps open around January 2012 or so but probably not much earlier. We should find out more about the Phase 1 openings in about a week at the Expo board meeting.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 23, 2010 9:54:28 GMT -8
What ever happened regarding a VIP Hi-Railer tour of the new tracks? Did I miss something or will it be next month? Gokhan could be right, although I saw portions of the line every day last week and the tracks never appeared to be completely cleared off. The hi-rail ride was an official proposal, though. It is mentioned in the October board meeting minutes: CEO Comments: Mr. Thorpe reported that the Contractors are making very good progress and are finishing up the actual trackwork as indicated by the Project Update. He also commented that the Board Secretary is in the process of polling Board Members, the Metro Board Chair and the Mayor of Los Angeles, for a high rail alignment tour on the tracks of the entire alignment, for the week of November 15th. It's also possible that the hi-rail ride has just taken a little longer to plan than Rick Thorpe initially expected. But given how difficult it is to get all the board members at the same place at the same time (they don't even like to come to the board meetings), there is a good chance that this was postponed or canceled.
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K 22
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Posts: 117
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Post by K 22 on Nov 23, 2010 10:09:06 GMT -8
Correct me if I'm wrong...but "substantial completion" means to La Cienega boulevard, right? Has any word come out on substantial completion to Venice/Robertson? If it's only within 4 months, I would say let's wait for the full Phase I line to open. Venice/Robertson is a significant new station; it will have more use than 23rd, Adams, Vermont, Western, Crenshaw, Farmdale, La Brea and La Cienega...maybe even USC/Expo Park. It would be nice to have that shown off on opening day other than a quiet opening 4 or 5 months later. If it takes a full year for Venice/Robertson to be ready...then do the short line opening first. I think the next stop after 23rd is Jefferson not Adams.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Nov 23, 2010 10:12:09 GMT -8
I'm sure the parking faciliites will not be a hold-back in opening the line. It wasn't for the Eastside Gold Line. The Indiana and Atlantic garages opened within a year after service started.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 23, 2010 11:25:35 GMT -8
I think the next stop after 23rd is Jefferson not Adams. Yes, in fact, 23rd and Adams are the same station (the center platform being between the two streets). Jefferson is the next station (the side platforms being on the north side of the street).
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Post by bzcat on Nov 23, 2010 12:00:27 GMT -8
I really hope for a phased opening so we can ride it ASAP
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 23, 2010 14:01:38 GMT -8
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 23, 2010 18:11:58 GMT -8
Highlights from the presentations: - Construction is now 80% complete.
- Most of the remaining work seems to be street improvements.
- Falsework for the Culver Junction bridge will be lowered in early December 2010.
- Construction of the Venice/Robertson Station will begin in January 2011.
- Jefferson/La Cienega will open in 2011.
- Venice/Robertson will open in 2012.
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Post by bobdavis on Nov 23, 2010 19:12:18 GMT -8
Sounds like something a Las Vegas "sports book" would be taking odds on. Here in San Gabriel, we're getting ready to have a new roof installed on our house, and its "completion date" seems to be getting "kicked down the road", with County inspection and weather being the main factors. Have faith; all will be completed in the fullness of time.
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Post by masonite on Nov 24, 2010 23:04:31 GMT -8
So Dec. is a really big month for Expo. Dec. 2, we should know the opening schedule more or less. I believe the lawsuit on the Phase II EIR will be heard (and hopefully thrown out) on Dec. 14. Finally, the bids from the two potential contractors on Phase II are due Dec. 15. Do we know if we will know the pricing on those bids at that time (and thus the budget more or less for Phase II)?
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 24, 2010 23:40:04 GMT -8
So Dec. is a really big month for Expo. Dec. 2, we should know the opening schedule more or less. I believe the lawsuit on the Phase II EIR will be heard (and hopefully thrown out) on Dec. 14. Finally, the bids from the two potential contractors on Phase II are due Dec. 15. Do we know if we will know the pricing on those bids at that time (and thus the budget more or less for Phase II)? Indeed, starting December, the next few months will be very important for Expo. The NFSR trial was moved to December 21. I don't think they will announce the bids until early February when the selection will take place. At some point in January or perhaps even in December, they will have the preliminary engineering out to the public and they will hold public meetings. And, of course, the Phase 2 construction will start with right-of-clearing and utility relocation in February. We will also wait and see how much they will tell about the Phase 1 opening next week. And, Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., who have been building the Venice/Robertson Station, will start extending the aerial structure over Venice Boulevard early or mid next year.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 29, 2010 13:09:53 GMT -8
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Nov 29, 2010 13:39:22 GMT -8
Does that mean we are seeing the imminent end of Washington/Fairax? I truly hope so....we need a westside transit center that connects with a rail line....Washington/Fairfax and Pico/Rimpau should become obsolete.
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K 22
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Post by K 22 on Nov 29, 2010 14:10:34 GMT -8
Does that mean we are seeing the imminent end of Washington/Fairax? I truly hope so....we need a westside transit center that connects with a rail line....Washington/Fairfax and Pico/Rimpau should become obsolete. Would Pico/Rimpau still be potentially obsolete if the Crenshaw Line eventually stops there?
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Nov 29, 2010 15:00:53 GMT -8
Would Pico/Rimpau still be potentially obsolete if the Crenshaw Line eventually stops there? Nope. Hopefully it does stop there. We should integrate bus transfer stations with rail...not bus only. It makes for a more powerful transfer station. If the Crenshaw Line connects with Pico/Rimpau....that's fantastic.
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