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Post by jdrcrasher on Oct 18, 2012 11:31:05 GMT -8
I'm not sure why the slope upward on the terminal station at 4th/Colorado, requiring a grand staircase. Could it be that they are leaving open the possibility of an elevated crossing of 4th street and the freeway to head south and eventually tunnel back to Lincoln? Running the Green Line down Lincoln Blvd from LAX to the Purple Line in Santa Monica would be much cheaper than having the Expo Line backtrack towards Lincoln.
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Post by darrell on Oct 18, 2012 11:33:15 GMT -8
So, the next true terminal station will be 4th/Colorado (all other current terminals are interim b/c extensions are possible). So, will there be an extra track to keep speed high or only 2 tracks? I'm not sure why the slope upward on the terminal station at 4th/Colorado, requiring a grand staircase. Could it be that they are leaving open the possibility of an elevated crossing of 4th street and the freeway to head south and eventually tunnel back to Lincoln? Also, I think they need more than the four ticket terminals depicted (could use some additional temporary terminals at Culver City in the meantime as well). The grand staircase is because 4th Street is lower than 5th Street, resulting in the tracks being higher than 4th. There will be three tracks in the terminus station. I'd hoped for extension south in the earlier plan, but now they'd have to cross 4th - probably at-grade - and turn sharply. Probably not going to happen. Here's a detail of the current plan (from Dwight's posting, I presume from the 10/15/12 update meeting): The station renderings were previously shown at the 7/10/12 update meeting and are also copied here.
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Post by jamesinclair on Oct 18, 2012 16:56:48 GMT -8
Emergency stairs only? Seriously?
Is rider convenience EVER considered over at Metro?
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Post by gatewaygent on Oct 18, 2012 21:02:58 GMT -8
Unless Metro plans to have round the clock security at this station, it won't be long before people disregard the "Emergency Exit" sign and treat them like regular exits. As proof, I offer the Blue Line, San Pedro Station. I've driven by and been on the Blue Line pulling from the station as people non-chalantly use the "Emergency Exit" as a regular one. Sure, there's cameras, but once the people fade into the distance, who's going to chase them down to cite? Then again, we're talking about a station in the city of Santa Monica where contrived parking signs read "38 minute parking" because two (2) people on the Santa Monica City Council made such a big stink over 45 min vs. 30 min parking, that they had to split the difference. So, Santa Monica might actually post wanted posters around the city of people that use the "Emergency Exit" as a regular exit.
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Post by bobdavis on Oct 18, 2012 21:15:50 GMT -8
The only problem I see with passengers using the "emergency stairs" is that they would be crossing active tracks, while the stairs at the west end are beyond the tracks. One would think that crossing the tracks wouldn't be that big a deal, but the way some people wander around oblivious to their surroundings, someone is sure to use the "unauthorized" exit and get smacked by an LRV.
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Post by Gokhan on Oct 19, 2012 7:50:08 GMT -8
The only problem I see with passengers using the "emergency stairs" is that they would be crossing active tracks, while the stairs at the west end are beyond the tracks. One would think that crossing the tracks wouldn't be that big a deal, but the way some people wander around oblivious to their surroundings, someone is sure to use the "unauthorized" exit and get smacked by an LRV. I've seen the emergency exits at Vermont, Western, and Crenshaw being routinely used as regular exits.
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Oct 19, 2012 18:27:09 GMT -8
New big batch of construction photos from Dwight. Holes are dug for OCS foundations in Northvale trench, bridges are coming along and looks like the 17th Street/Colorado interchange is shut down due to the amount of work going on. Lots of progress all over the line. Expo Line Fan on Flickr (Link)
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Post by Gokhan on Oct 22, 2012 8:34:45 GMT -8
Expo Line Phase 2 media event is going to take place any moment at the Palms Station, which has become the symbol of Expo Phase 2. This photo I took at 8:30 came underexposed because I was in a hurry but you can see Gaby Collins taking a picture of the Expo Phase 2 banner they just put:
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Oct 22, 2012 10:23:06 GMT -8
Something apparently is happening with Expo Line Phase 2 and a requested Stay from Cheviot Hills from the State Supreme Court? Could we be looking at a complete halt of construction in the next few days if this Stay is granted?
Looks like Metro is trying to drum up support and let people know that a few wealthy homeowners are holding our project hostage!
This just proves it's not Metro that is at fault for not expanding public transit...........it's homeowner associations who don't think about the "99%".
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Post by John Ryan on Oct 22, 2012 11:09:21 GMT -8
From the case docket: [Edit - will know the outcome of the motion filed in a few weeks] 10/22/2012 Opposition filed Defendant and Respondent: Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority Attorney: Robert Donnelly Thornton Defendant and Respondent: Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority Board Attorney: Robert Donnelly Thornton Opposition of Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to request for Judicial Notice in support of motion for stay filed by appellant. appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=0&doc_id=2015235&q=259006&h=919416499
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Post by Gokhan on Oct 22, 2012 12:13:12 GMT -8
Officials hold news conference to call for construction to continue on Expo Line Phase 2Posted on October 22, 2012 by Steve HymonCounty Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky at the news conference at the future site of the Palms station. Photo by Steve Hymon/MetroA news conference was held in Palms on Monday morning with elected officials and transit officials urging the California Supreme Court to allow construction to continue on the second phase of the Expo Line light rail. A group that has sued the project has filed a motion asking for a stay in construction. A decision by the Supreme Court is expected within weeks. “We believe we will win the ultimate decision in this case,” said County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Zev Yaroslavsky. “But we want the court to understand the impact of their decision.” Yaroslavsky and other officials said that shutting down work on the project would cost at least $90 million and result in the loss of 817 construction jobs. “This is a stunt that could kill the project,” Yaroslavsky said, citing the likely cost of re-doing environmental studies and the resulting delays. He added that the threat of a shutdown was sufficient that in addition to filing a motion to prevent a shutdown, officials wanted to hold a news conference to clarify what's at stake. “To stop this project a year after we started it is just crazy,” Yaroslavsky said. The first phase of the Expo Line between downtown Los Angeles and Culver City opened earlier this year. The second phase between Culver City and Santa Monica began construction last year, with grading and bridgework activity increasing in recent months up and down the 6.6-mile alignment. The background: Neighbors for Smart Rail sued the Exposition Line Construction Authority in 2009, alleging the final environmental impact studies for the project's second phase were inadequate. In particular, the group alleged that traffic impact studies were flawed because future traffic conditions were used instead of existing ones. The case has been heard in both Superior Court and the Court of Appeals and both courts ruled against Neighbors for Smart Rail. Neighbors for Smart Rail then appealed the case to the California Supreme Court, which agreed to hear it, defining this issue (case summary here): This case includes the following issue: Under the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code, ? 21000 et seq.), is a public agency required to evaluate a project's potential traffic and other impacts using a baseline consisting of the existing physical conditions in the affected area during the period of environmental review, or may an agency elect to evaluate the impacts of a project only against projected future conditions? In the past, the group has called for the line to be built underground in the area near Cheviot Hills and the Westside Pavilion, citing concerns that crossing gates will harm traffic on streets such as Overland Avenue. The group's website also says that the project can't be built “right,” it should be killed in favor of the Westside Subway Extension. The Neighbors for Smart Rail website says that the group “is supported in part by West of Westwood Homeowners Association, Westwood Gardens Civic Association, Cheviot Hills Homeowners Association, and Tract 7260 Homeowners Association, as well as others.” Yaroslavsky also noted that many people in the area surrounding the future second phase of the Expo Line voted for the Measure R sales tax increase in 2008 that is funding the project. He said that those who support having the Westside connected to the regional transit network far outnumber the relatively few homeowners who have been fighting the Expo Line for 20 years — and he noted that the lawsuit ultimately will not result in the Expo Line being built underground.
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Post by Gokhan on Oct 22, 2012 14:02:48 GMT -8
Neighbors for Smart Rail President and West of Westwood (Boulevard) Homeowners' Association Chair Ms. Terri Tippit's response to the media event:
Expo News Conference this morning
We woke up to our phone ringing off the hook from radio and TV news wanting to a response to the Expo news conference held this morning about their response to our motion for a stay.
They said that stopping the project will add $90million to the project cost. And they said “for the most part” few accidents. We came back with “for the most part” is unacceptable when it comes to safety. We have always stressed our number one concern was safety especially for the children at Overland Elementary. The gold line has an elementary school in the middle of the line with a fence so they cannot get on the line unless they climb the fence. Overland School is at a major intersection with arms and a break in the fence making it accessible for anyone to walk across the line or on the line in either direction.
As far as the $90million they were well aware we were moving forward with an appeal. They proceeded forward at their own risk. Once we saw them accelerate the building of the line we had no choice but to ask for a stay. As with them mentioning the $90million delay we are concerned that they will spend much more than that in construction from now until we are heard at the Supreme Court and claiming that since they spent all that Measure R money they owed it to the public to finish the line. $90million seems like a lot but the project is estimated now to cost $1.6 billion better to do it right then spend $1.6billion on a project that will only have to go back and fixed.
We also pointed out that not only are we one of a very low percentage of cases that are heard before the CA Supreme Court but we also have been granted a rehearing by the PUC who make the final decision on grade crossings.
The jobs provided during construction are temporary and will be eliminated when their portion of the work is done. We have actually spoken to some of the workers and they have worked on the other Metro Lines-Metro can move to a job that is not in a lawsuit until this is settled.
Ch 7 should air either at 5 or 11pm today. The rest is on the radio.
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Post by bobdavis on Oct 23, 2012 14:50:29 GMT -8
When I was in grade school (admittedly 60 years ago) we had a Pacific Electric line running down the middle of the street on the south side of the school ground. 50-ton interurban cars all day long, and a freight train in the afternoon. Another school in the Monrovia district was half a block from the Santa Fe 2nd District (where the Gold Line will be running in a few years), with fast passenger trains and an occasional freight. During my entire childhood, I don't recall any children being hit by a Red Car or a Santa Fe train. And there weren't any crossing gates, either, just "wig-wags" or flashing lights. Is NFSR saying their kids are so stupid that they can't stay out of the way of the modern version of the PE Red Cars?
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Post by rubbertoe on Oct 23, 2012 16:01:28 GMT -8
Is NFSR saying their kids are so stupid that they can't stay out of the way of the modern version of the PE Red Cars? You would think that with all the money they have over there in Cheviot Hills, that they could afford to educate their kids about what blinking red lights and bells in front of train tracks mean. RT
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Post by rajacobs on Oct 23, 2012 16:32:26 GMT -8
I just think it's a bunch of "Tippsy" folks who have been propagandized sufficiently and are quite out of touch with the reality of rail safety. Like Bob, I grew up living within a half block of a major likght rail line with stops all along the boulevard and an elementary school across the street from the line (like Overland Elementary School). I know from experience that it's unrealistic to think "kids and rail don't mix." Absurdity. ...As for "all the money," that too is absurd--money has nothing to do with rail opposition here. Rather it has to do with ego and imagined self-importance and misplaced fear. Believe it or not, some of us don't have such imagined money.
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Post by bzcat on Oct 24, 2012 9:20:52 GMT -8
Is NFSR saying their kids are so stupid that they can't stay out of the way of the modern version of the PE Red Cars? You would think that with all the money they have over there in Cheviot Hills, that they could afford to educate their kids about what blinking red lights and bells in front of train tracks mean. RT The crazy woman doesn't even live in Cheviot Hills!!! She is just one of those nut jobs that is against everything. NFSR doesn't even hold its meetings at Cheviot Hills (I would be surprised if they have actual meetings at all because it is just Tippit and her 5 or 6 equally crazy friends).
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Post by rajacobs on Oct 24, 2012 10:08:33 GMT -8
Gokhan quoted Yaroslavsky as saying, "those who support having the Westside connected to the regional transit network far outnumber the relatively few homeowners who have been fighting the Expo Line for 20 years." I agree, including in Cheviot Hills!
...And Alexis wrote, "At this point, if NFSR won, the most they could hope for is for Expo to re-do the EIR - which would take a year or more and stop all work. While that seems extremely unlikely, it's always a possibility and Metro/Expo is merely underscoring what's at stake."
That Ms. Tippit and cohorts apparently refused to be interviewed on camera suggests that they're aware their appeal to the Supreme Court is not going down well with the MAJORITY of the community. The appeal seems neither out of self-interest or community interest ...just bald anger and resentment at not getting their way, sort of like the guy on the freeway who swerves in front of you to MAKE THE POINT that you cut him off a few seconds ago.
There's a point to "minority rights," but their actions neither serve the community nor themselves very well.
At one time, Ms. Tippit fought to get an air compressor for a fire station in Palms--demonstrating she cared for the needs of those folks, so she's capable of compassion. But today she, together with others who share her non-community "vision, display blind ego, and also the knowledge that the community isn't with them--despite the NFSR propaganda. ...Those of us who have lived with light rail know better. Yet Ms. Tippit has to stick to her blind demands. Shame on her!
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Post by gatewaygent on Oct 24, 2012 15:07:00 GMT -8
I just don't get it and I suppose I never will. They're going through these hurdles in the name of a "just cause" as they see it, yet they refuse to have their faces associated with this whole thing. This shows a complete lack of moral courage and integrity. Or do they think they're just too moral and dignified to be on camera. By contrast, Beverly Hills has taken complete ownership of their misguided opposition of the Purple Line extension by being very vocal and very visual.
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Oct 26, 2012 4:54:32 GMT -8
This week's construction photos show higher walls, more bridge abutments poured and OCS foundations in Northvale trench! The Northvale trench was dug in the 1870's by Chinese railroad laborers - and it still hasn't changed much; A little fill dirt was added, some grading, and now concrete OCS mounts to replace the wooden poles from the Pacific Electric era. From the plans, once the ballast is back down and the tracks are laid, there will still be small sections that look very much as it did to passengers in the past... Expo Line Fan on Flickr (Link)
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Post by bobdavis on Oct 26, 2012 19:35:41 GMT -8
But the new railway will be double track with welded 115 lb rail on concrete ties, a far cry from the (probably) 75 lb jointed rail on tired wooden ties. I can only imagine what the PE Monrovia line that I grew up with would look like had it lasted long enough to be rebuilt to modern "light rail" standards.
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Post by Gokhan on Oct 27, 2012 9:21:18 GMT -8
Back then there was no landscaping on the sides of the trench. They called it a "ditch." It was full of trash people kept throwing in. It looks much better today with mature, rich landscaping. The 115 lb, concrete-tie double tracks will be far more heavy-duty. The wooden poles were on the Northvale side back then and the modern OCS poles will be in the median now. You can also see in the photo that the houses to the south of Palms Park on the right side are gone thanks to the freeway that was built 10 years after the photo. More photos are in the historical-photos section. Of course, all this could change if they decide to cut the trees on the Northvale side. We, the neighborhood people, are working hard with the Expo Authority to have the mature landscaping along Northvale, which has become a characteristic of the neighborhood, preserved. People don't realize but without our background efforts, this would be a really lousy line.
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Post by Gokhan on Oct 29, 2012 8:59:53 GMT -8
In Palms, they have now started building the retaining wall east of National/Palms/Exposition along Exposition, in addition to west of National/Palms/Exposition along National. They have also started making the forms for the east abutment of the new National bridge for the eastbound track. Things are moving full-steam ahead. In a year, most of the line will be visible and the rest will be mainly the work at the stations.
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Post by rajacobs on Oct 29, 2012 9:30:07 GMT -8
Steve Hymon, writing on thesource.metro.net today (10/29/2012), noted that the LA Times editorial page editor, Jim Newton decried as "a terrible idea to shut down construction of the Expo Line's second phase as part of a lawsuit by NFSR against the project." Hymon quoted Newton as saying: Of course, residents of the area have every right to fight a project they think will harm their neighborhood. But some principles should guide decision-makers and activists as they consider the relative merits of big projects versus neighborhood integrity. Planners should not burden communities with projects of marginal importance but rather focus on those that are essential for the region's future; they should listen to concerns that their proposals generate; and they should make every effort to minimize harm.
With the Expo Line extension, proponents have passed all those tests. The line is crucial to completing a desperately needed rail network, one undeniably integral to the future of L.A., and the route was sensibly chosen along an existing right of way. Extensive hearings did give residents a chance to express themselves — and in fact, many area residents stepped forward in support of the line's construction. As for the opponents: Sometimes neighborhoods must accept inconveniences that serve a larger good. This is one of those times. ...Expo 2, by the way, is funded mostly by the Measure R sales tax increase approved by nearly 68 percent of Los Angeles County voters in 2008.
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Post by darrell on Oct 31, 2012 22:08:56 GMT -8
A few new photos... The land east of the western-most Fisher Lumber building at 14th and Colorado has been cleared (today). Forms are up at the western abutment on Olympic west of Cloverfield (above today; below 10/24/12) Forms are off the eastern abutment at Cloverfield (today) Grading is largely done east of Stewart (10/24/12). A 100% crop below zooms in on Centinela. The abutments at Centinela are complete (10/24/12).
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Post by rajacobs on Nov 2, 2012 12:28:18 GMT -8
Palms - National Bridge, eastern abutment (11/2/12) Palms & National, looking eastward (11/2/12) Palms Park footbridge, looking eastward (11/2/12) Palms Park footbridge, looking westward (11/2/12)
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Post by rajacobs on Nov 2, 2012 12:44:00 GMT -8
...One other thing. There's not a topic for this, but some may find it exciting to imagine touring the Westside by rail! My wife and I twice have walked from Palms/National to the Grove on Fairfax and Third, then down Wilshire and caught the Purple Line to Seventh Metro to the Gold Line to Culver City and walked home.
OK, it took a few hours but it's an easy evening's walk and exciting to see several parts of LA. ...From Culver City to the Orthodox Jewish world of Pico Robertson to Beverly Hills and the expensive shops along Wilshire. From Beverly Hills to LACMA and then encounter the intensity of Farmer's Market (and eat dinner!). Then through the quiet streets of Park LaBrea back to Wilshire and the "Miracle Mile." Then to see the street grow quiet and dark after Highland, walking through the Larchmont area and past the defunct Shriner's Auditorium into Koreatown, where the city comes to life again.
To me, this is the promise of rail, reintegrating a city that's been decimated by traffic for so many years. Especially when we get to a pont that rail lines parallel one another, it's a treat to be able to walk from one to another and get back to where you came from without having to retrace one's steps. Sure it can be done by bus, but it's just not the same...
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Post by masonite on Nov 2, 2012 14:25:04 GMT -8
...One other thing. There's not a topic for this, but some may find it exciting to imagine touring the Westside by rail! My wife and I twice have walked from Palms/National to the Grove on Fairfax and Third, then down Wilshire and caught the Purple Line to Seventh Metro to the Gold Line to Culver City and walked home. OK, it took a few hours but it's an easy evening's walk and exciting to see several parts of LA. ...From Culver City to the Orthodox Jewish world of Pico Robertson to Beverly Hills and the expensive shops along Wilshire. From Beverly Hills to LACMA and then encounter the intensity of Farmer's Market ( and eat dinner!). Then through the quiet streets of Park LaBrea back to Wilshire and the "Miracle Mile." Then to see the street grow quiet and dark after Highland, walking through the Larchmont area and past the defunct Shriner's Auditorium into Koreatown, where the city comes to life again. To me, this is the promise of rail, reintegrating a city that's been decimated by traffic for so many years. Especially when we get to a pont that rail lines parallel one another, it's a treat to be able to walk from one to another and get back to where you came from without having to retrace one's steps. Sure it can be done by bus, but it's just not the same... That is quite a walk! I truly think you can't really appreciate the city until you walk a lot of it. People who never walk or bike or go by transit and only drive never really know LA the same way. The middle of the city you describe on your walk really has the diversity and some great buildings and neighborhoods.
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Post by bobdavis on Nov 2, 2012 14:35:50 GMT -8
Looks like the construction crews are really going "hammer & tongs", although it will be a while before those concrete bases will sprout overhead support structures. Thanks for the updates. Meanwhile, out in the Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte area, Gold Line Foothill Extension work is picking up--see that section for news.
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Nov 7, 2012 15:41:33 GMT -8
Some more pictures from Dwight this week. Many bridge abutments are complete. OCS Foundations are done from the I-10 box tunnel to Overland. (Link)
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Nov 10, 2012 10:57:05 GMT -8
Some poor chap lives near the Expo ROW and Canfield. He made this video at 4:10 AM. Any idea why construction would be going on at this time?
By analyzing the video, it seems he is looking at the ROW directly behind the Albertson's parking lot right where Exposition drive turns into South Durango.
On Google maps it shows a concrete staircase leading to the lot from the ROW which may need to be removed. But at 4:00 AM? Odd.
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