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Post by Gokhan on Jan 28, 2010 17:35:22 GMT -8
One more grade crossing is to be installed this weekend and next weekend -- 28th St. Here is the current list of the rail crossings already installed (including next week's), shown in Green: Washington 21st 22nd 23rd Adams 28th 30th Jefferson Trousdale Watt Menlo Vermont Raymond Normandie Halldale Denker Western Gramercy Arlington 7th 11th Crenshaw Buckingham Farmdale HauserSo, 18 have been installed and seven are left among Expo Phase 1's 25 grade crossings (not counting the existing Blue Line shared track).
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Post by metrocenter on Jan 28, 2010 19:18:24 GMT -8
If Expo was granted permits for 24-hour construction under certain noise limits, then the contractors have to abide by those noise limits. Noise from police cars and other street activity is not subject to permits, but Expo is. People do have to sleep at night.
Not everything that negatively impacts Expo can be blamed on reckless NIMBYism. It seems to me the contractor has some explaining to do, if it cannot keep the noise levels lower at 3AM.
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 29, 2010 9:55:08 GMT -8
So, the December 2010 completion of the construction and circa May 2011 opening from Downtown to Venice/Robertson will not be effected by the night-permit revoking by LAPD. Phase 2 must be approved this Thursday or it will be delayed by at least a year and quite likely more, resulting in hundreds of million dollars of waste in taxpayers' money and/or jeopardizing the project altogether.Expo timetable stays on track, but faces hurdleBy Miriam Finder LOS ANGELES — No delays are expected to result from the revocation of a permit that allowed around the clock construction on the Expo Line that will come to Santa Monica in its second phase. However, delays may occur if the second phase's environmental impact report does not pass its Feb. 4 review. Rick Thorpe, Expo Authority CEO, said he is optimistic that the Expo Construction Authority Board will approve the report, but that nothing is certain until all the public testimony is heard and the meeting is over. If the board disapproves the report, portions would have to be redone, which could cause delays of eight to 10 months, Thorpe said. "Obviously, Feb. 4 is a critical juncture in the project," he said. Although already a year behind schedule, Thorpe said everything now is on schedule to keep the project moving smoothly. The Los Angeles Police Commission withdrew the construction permit due to noise complaints. Overnight work has been banned. "Now they're saying they want to know when we're working, how many hours … and that the community has been notified," said Thorpe. "All of which I think is reasonable and doable." The finished line will run from Downtown Los Angeles through Culver City and possibly along Colorado Avenue ending at Fourth Street in Downtown Santa Monica. Build it right -- above ground -- and build it right now!
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 29, 2010 12:54:19 GMT -8
Now, a couple of pictures and Phase 1 update. As you might know by now, Phase 1 construction is scheduled to be substantially completed in December 2010. The only possibility of delay is the Venice/Robertson Station. Today I was pleased to see that now all 16 supports of the Culver City aerial superstructe have been constructed or in the process of being constructed. I think in a month they will all be completed. There are four pairs of supports for the station, another support just north of Washington, three supports between Washington and National, one support on National, and three supports east of National. Here are the four pairs of supports (one pair missing but being constructed): And this is the covered hole for the single support just north of Washington: Elsewhere, the project is moving with a blazing speed. We are now seeing work west of La Brea. Crenshaw Station canopies are now looking good. They have now placed UV-absorbent transparent layers on the canopies, which shine with a pink hue under sun. They will serve to protect people from rain and sun throughout the platform. Trackwork is processing very well. A lot of activity is taking place near Gramercy Place. They have already closed Vermont Ave and are digging deep for track crossing installation. A lot of work is taking place by USC. So, finally, the contractor is employing multiple crews as it should be and the line is being built very fast. I wonder if we didn't run into the LADWP power-line and other utility problems, they would be building this line as fast as they are now or this is something that came out under pressure from the authority. Anyway, we are looking forward to the test trains at the end of this year or early next year.
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Post by jeisenbe on Jan 30, 2010 0:20:11 GMT -8
"They have now placed UV-absorbent transparent layers on the canopies, which shine with a pink hue under sun. They will serve to protect people from rain and sun throughout the platform."
Good, I was worried about that.
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 30, 2010 10:30:58 GMT -8
Although, the problem is that the canopy is very high and it's somewhat narrow. This would make it hard to find a shadow or dry spot when the sun or rain is coming at a slight angle. On the other hand, traditional canopies are more like a roof over people's heads.
On a very good note, Expo Authority has now confirmed that all Phase 1 construction (all the way to Culver City, perhaps excluding the Venice/Robert superstructure) is scheduled to be substantially completed in December 2010, including automatic train protection at Washington and Flower and the Phase 1 maintenance facility. There are no more expected problems (not even the Farmdale problem). So, Phase 1 should open to Culver City around May 2011 after about five months of train testing and prerevenue service. Since automatic train protection and the maintenance facility won't be ready before December, an earlier Crenshaw opening is now completely ruled out, unless highly unexpected problems prevent Farmdale from being approved.
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Post by rajacobs on Jan 30, 2010 14:11:16 GMT -8
From the beginning, when I saw sketches of the Expoline station canopy, I was concerned about excessive exposure on a hot summer day--and we have a few of those!
If it's "hard to find a shadow or dry spot when the sun or rain is coming at a slight angle," these canopies don't seem very functional. A roof over our heads would be a welcome alternative.
I have an image, waiting underneath the bridge at the Palms / National station because it's too sunny and hot on the platform ...or imagine one of the rainy days of last week and waiting on the platform.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jan 31, 2010 13:44:22 GMT -8
Anybody know the latest %age of completion on the Expo Line? And, what would that include Washington/National as well...or just up to La Cienega?
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 31, 2010 14:33:08 GMT -8
Anybody know the latest %age of completion on the Expo Line? And, what would that include Washington/National as well...or just up to La Cienega? The Expo Line construction is currently scheduled to be substantially completed in December 2010. The Venice/Robertson superstructure (everything that goes over the support columns) contract hasn't been issued yet (to be issued likely to a new contractor in a month or so) and as a result there is no schedule for it, but the intent is to construct it quickly so that it will also be completed along with the rest of the line by the end of this year. There is a five month or less testing and prerevenue-service period after the substantial completion. So, this puts the opening date in May 2011. A Crenshaw opening is no longer an option because the Washington/Flower automatic train protection won't be ready until December.
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Post by darrell on Jan 31, 2010 21:35:19 GMT -8
We've just received a notice at USC that the Vermont Ave grade crossing will be installed over the next two weekends. These two photos show how it happens over two weekends - one track per weekend. One track was finished so far at 28th (above) and Vermont (below) as of late this afternoon. It also answers that the Vermont crossing is embedded. Wonder what the "Insituform" truck is doing? They started Friday, closing the crossing midday to dig out the old track. Crenshaw Station canopies are now looking good. They have now placed UV-absorbent transparent layers on the canopies, which shine with a pink hue under sun. They will serve to protect people from rain and sun throughout the platform. The canopy colors have a pretty shine, but are hard to capture in a photo. Here's my best from Friday, with West Angeles Cathedral in the background. Here's a better photo of the soundwall construction and trackway grading west of La Brea at Cochran Ave. And wood was appearing on the Ballona Creek bridge falsework.
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Post by Justin Walker on Feb 1, 2010 22:34:42 GMT -8
Some of my observations from the USC trench today: All the trench barriers have been stained with a brick color except along the west portal. Staining work continued there today: The fence sections that will be installed on the trench barriers have arrived and seem just about ready for installation: At the edge of the empty lot at Flower/37th, a curious barrier wall identical to the trench barriers has been erected, with fencing already installed. Perhaps it was a test wall for testing brick stain colors? I also got to see concrete poured for an embedded track section near the Jefferson station. I was amazed by the Balfour Beatty crew's speed and efficiency:
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 1, 2010 23:09:37 GMT -8
Now we know that the trenches are the ugliest sections of a light-rail line. You can't see the line from the outside. You can't see the outside from the line. All you see are pointless-looking walls and fences in the middle of the street. Fix Expo, NFSR, USC, Ridley-Thomas, etc. were simply wrong in advocating underground sections. Light-rail is by far best built above ground. I agree that Balfour Beatty Rail is doing an excellent job. They could probably rebuild the entire Pacific Electric system in one year if we had the will and determination.
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Post by kenalpern on Feb 2, 2010 6:42:42 GMT -8
Fascinating that Balfour Beatty is doing so well with its rail division but did such a lousy, years-behind-schedule job with its freeway construction division during the last, completed portion of the 405 freeway widening effort.
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 2, 2010 9:12:42 GMT -8
Well, rail is Balfour Beatty's real specialty, and I believe they are No. 1 in the world. Also, it's very difficult to work on a freeway while it's still open to traffic. I'm not sure if some other firm could do a better job under such working conditions.
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Post by bobdavis on Feb 2, 2010 11:50:08 GMT -8
I was rather amused by the thought that Balfour Beatty could "rebuild the entire Pacific Electric system in one year. Back when most of the PE was built, we didn't have "environmental impact reports" and relatively few folks had automobiles. Some years ago, in response to an article in a now-defunct magazine, I said something like "If I were able to blow the magic air whistle and bring back PE as it was in 1925, I'd bet that most Angelenos would stay with driving their own cars." The power of the steering wheel and all it implies is hard to overcome, and only when traffic, parking or fuel prices become intolerable will a typical Southern Californian give up the feeling of command that the automobile offers. As a side note, even as early as 1925, some of PE's money-losing local lines, especially in Pasadena, had been converted to bus service. We're finally approaching a time when cheap auto travel will be a thing of the past, and more and more people will accept public transit, but some folks will probably have bumper stickers that read (with a nod to the NRA) "I will give up my car/SUV/pickup truck when they pry my cold, dead fingers from the steering wheel."
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Post by darrell on Feb 2, 2010 23:24:54 GMT -8
I'd add, PE didn't have to do the huge amount of utility relocation (guess there weren't many utilities then) or build many bridges. Speaking of, here's the La Brea bridge last Friday. Although a few large bridges were built later, including this one on San Vicente at Pico (from Tom Wetzels' PE site):
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Post by rajacobs on Feb 3, 2010 0:01:51 GMT -8
This afternoon, west of La Cienga, I saw many dump trucks dropping load after load in "fill" area between La Cienega and Jefferson. A flagman was stopping traffic to allow the trucks faster entrance and exit to the fill area. The section they are currently working on is adjacent to the LaCienega bridge.
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Post by kenalpern on Feb 3, 2010 7:24:59 GMT -8
Well, rail is Balfour Beatty's real specialty, and I believe they are No. 1 in the world. Also, it's very difficult to work on a freeway while it's still open to traffic. I'm not sure if some other firm could do a better job under such working conditions. Unfortunately, it wasn't a matter of technical issues as much as it was a matter of 'tude. Even Caltrans and LADOT suspected as much--they got paid very little for the 405 project between LAX and the 10 freeway, so they went sloooooooow and finished as late as they possibly could. Late as in two years late, and methinks they won't be doing much freeway work any time soon because everyone in the transportation world just hates them. Now I believe they've got a great rail future...but no one will touch them for freeway work with a ten foot pole.
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Post by jejozwik on Feb 3, 2010 17:52:41 GMT -8
Although a few large bridges were built later, including this one on San Vicente at Pico (from Tom Wetzels' PE site): lé sigh... that old bridge is sooooo much better...
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Post by Transit Coalition on Feb 4, 2010 4:32:32 GMT -8
For those that wonder, LA Times Editorials don't happen by magic, there are those out there who make sure that your opinion gets endorsed by the newspaper of record: Editorial: Westside residents need, and yet oppose, traffic reliefAn extension of the Expo light-rail line should be approved. Los Angeles Times: 4:33 PM PST, Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Some Cheviot Hills residents might have a nasty commute Thursday afternoon when they converge on downtown, where the board of the Exposition Construction Authority is scheduled to decide whether to green-light a planned light-rail line through their neighborhood. Too bad they don't have a slick new rail route to whisk them across town -- and if they get their way, they never will. New rail lines often attract community opposition, but Westsiders, perhaps because they tend to be able to afford attorneys or they have particularly strong neighborhood associations, are unusually successful at blocking projects. This is why the region still doesn't have a subway connection even though it's high on the list of the most traffic-congested communities in the United States. The proposed "Subway to the Sea" might have been built long ago, but Westside residents, fearing blight, crime and even underground explosions, successfully derailed a planned route down Wilshire Boulevard. Transit planners are still struggling to get the Westside subway back on track, but meanwhile the first leg of the Expo Line light-rail route, from downtown to Culver City, is expected to be completed this summer. The $1.5-billion second phase would run seven miles from the Phase 1 terminus at Venice and Robertson boulevards to the intersection of Colorado Avenue and 4th Street in Santa Monica. Most of the planned line lies along a set of abandoned railroad tracks, but neighbors fret that the train will clog traffic at intersections and afflict their streets with noise, vibrations, parking problems and safety issues. They'll bring those concerns to the Expo board Thursday as it meets to discuss the project's final environmental report.Though we sympathize with the residents -- few people would want a train running past their backyards-- the impacts of the line would actually be minor, and its benefits would be great. Planners expect the Expo Line to carry about 64,000 riders a day by 2030, relieving traffic, boosting the economy and cutting pollution. The agency is building sound walls to reduce noise, grade separations to lessen traffic delays, and parking facilities. That's not enough for residents, who are demanding unnecessary additional grade separations that would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and make the project financially unfeasible. The board must politely turn them down. Traffic congestion is among the most common complaints in West L.A., where residents can either stew on the freeway at rush hour or take the bus, which is usually far slower. With funding finally available to change that, there's only one thing in the way of relief for Westsiders: themselves.
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Post by rubbertoe on Feb 4, 2010 17:17:51 GMT -8
For those that wonder, LA Times Editorials don't happen by magic, there are those out there who make sure that your opinion gets endorsed by the newspaper of record... ...With funding finally available to change that, there's only one thing in the way of relief for Westsiders: themselves. Bart, be sure and thank "those out there" whomever they may be. That last line is great, and sums the situation up perfectly. I'm guessing that a lot of you are at the Expo meeting as we speak. Please post the outcome so we all can find out tonight what happened. Thanks, RT Bart note: I am actually the "those out there", as I have been gifted to be able to work with the Times Editorial Board. I started long ago with the original Times Editorial urging that Expo be light rail and led a whole group to convince the Times that rail would work. Some of the more recent editorials include the one Questioning the selection of Breda, the one on the Metro structural deficit and the one earlier today, Feb. 4 endorsing Expo. And I am sure there will be many more. In the last 10 years, we've moved the transit future of LA from Bus Rapid Transit to light and heavy rail. There is still a lot to be done and I thank everyone that reads this board for the financial contributions to The Transit Coalition and the many other generous steps taken to get us this far. Thank you!
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 5, 2010 14:14:21 GMT -8
According to the latest project-status presentation, Phase 1 has just been delayed another three weeks (from 47 to 50 weeks) and it's now scheduled for substantial completion (not including Venice/Robertson) on January 17, 2011. This now puts the opening to La Cienega on June 17, 2011. I'm guessing the reason for the delay is the LAPD revoking the night permit. Check out some nice construction pics here.
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Post by darrell on Feb 5, 2010 18:25:54 GMT -8
Some construction was continuing today in the rain. Looking west from Gramercy (above) and east (below), the ballast walls are closing the gap where the street crossing used to be and ballast is being spread. The La Brea track slab is complete and rebar for its parapet awaits forms and concrete (above) and detail (below).
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Post by darrell on Feb 5, 2010 22:44:07 GMT -8
Looks like a lot will be happening on the Flower-Washington junction over the next three weekends, per The Source: Posted by Steve Hymon on February 3, 2010 - 1:57 pm
Delays in service expected on Blue Line next three weekends
Blue Line passengers be warned: due to Expo Line light rail construction, there are likely going to be delays in Blue Line service of up to 30 minutes over each of the next three weekends. In other words, it’s going to take up to 30 minutes longer for trains to travel between Metro Center in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The Expo Line and Blue Line will join together at the intersection of Washington and Flower and then share the same tracks until the terminus of both lines at Metro Center (at 7th and Figueroa/Flower). Work started last year to begin the process of merging the tracks at Washington and Flower, but it’s a complicated process and there’s more to be done.
Here’s an item on the delays that Metro CEO Art Leahy sent to staff in his daily email: Metro Blue Line Weekend Service to be Impacted as Construction Crews Work on Expo Line Connection
Metro Blue Line passengers will experience travel delays of up to 30 minutes on three consecutive weekends beginning Friday night, February 5, 2010 due to construction of the Expo Light Rail Line, which will connect with the Metro Blue Line in downtown Los Angeles.
Work will begin at 9:00 p.m. on Friday nights and continue until the close of rail service on Sunday night for the weekends of February 5-7, February 12-14 and February 19-21. Every attempt will be made to have service restored by Monday morning on each of the three weekends. Should any unforeseen delay occur, train service will be supplemented by buses between Washington and 7th Street/Metro Center Stations.
All work is subject to weather delays. Patrons are advised to allow extra time for their trips and check television monitors in train stations or call the Metro Hot Line number: 213- 922-4999 for the latest information on the construction work and service impacts or go online to www.metro.net. Information about closures and bus bridge service in English and Spanish will posted for the affected stations and announcements will be done in all Metro Rail stations.
The Expo Line is a new 8.5 mile light rail line under construction from downtown Los Angeles to Culver City. It will share tracks and two stations with the Metro Blue Line along the Flower Street portion of the alignment.
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Post by bluelineshawn on Feb 6, 2010 16:10:08 GMT -8
At least today they weren't even working at Flower. They were working on track 1 between Grand and San Pedro stations. Video below. And speaking of working I seem to recall the metro "Source" blog saying that they would fix the intersection at Alondra during the next Expo construction weekend. Well there was no one there today working on anything.
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Post by bluelineshawn on Feb 6, 2010 16:13:47 GMT -8
What's up with the walls near USC? I thought that USC had decided not to pay for those types of improvements? Did something change?
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 6, 2010 19:40:58 GMT -8
Well, the walls are ugly enough with brick patterns. Plain concrete would be much worse. I think Expo planned to put brick patterns on the walls from the beginning. USC had asked the three stations to also be designed with brick patterns. This never happened because Expo wanted to design all station in the same way so that there wouldn't be discrimination between the neighborhoods.
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Post by bluelineshawn on Feb 7, 2010 15:24:24 GMT -8
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 7, 2010 19:14:02 GMT -8
This news is false because it's outdated information from Expo. The current situation is that automatic train protection at Washington/Flower and the maintenance facility won't be ready before the end of December. This is the earliest train testing can start. Train testing takes five months, which puts the opening to any segment to May 2011 or so. The current schedule puts the substantial Phase 1 completion in January 2011 but this doesn't include Venice/Robertson. So, the long story short, the line is set to open to La Cienega in June 2011 or so. An earlier Crenshaw opening is not possible for the reason mentioned above. But Farmdale problems (seem unlikely at the moment) can prevent opening beyond Crenshaw in 2011. It's also not known when Venice/Robertson will open but it should be before the end of 2011, hopefully. Venice/Robertson is sort of Phase 1.5.
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Post by Justin Walker on Feb 7, 2010 19:17:55 GMT -8
Did anyone else notice the report in the LA Times that Expo would likely open to Crenshaw before the end of this year and that the extension to Culver City wouldn't be completed for an additional year after that? Recently, Expo officials have said both that both a phased opening and a delayed full opening are possible. Just last week, Rick Thorpe said a short Crenshaw opening might be the way to go. Yet, other Expo officials seem to have always preferred a delayed full opening. We should know more once the CPUC decision is handed down...
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