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Post by Tony Fernandez on Dec 31, 2007 1:25:52 GMT -8
I've highlighted a few options here, including the Harbor Subdivision. None of these other options serve LAX, but I think it's interesting to compare.
Btw, I really don't like that path for downtown next to the river and going around to get to Union Station. I'd love to see something underground there.
Personally, I like Hawthorne Boulevard, but can commuter rail really run in the middle of a street?
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Post by wad on Dec 31, 2007 4:25:40 GMT -8
Are there tracks there, and are we talking Metrolink or Metro Rail headways?
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Post by Tony Fernandez on Dec 31, 2007 9:47:57 GMT -8
This would be for Metrolink. These are ROW's that don't go through very high density, which is exactly why it wouldn't work as Metro Rail.
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Post by James Fujita on Dec 31, 2007 15:59:27 GMT -8
well, frankly, once you start talking about placing a rail line in the middle of the street, you're really starting to change the definition of what we mean by "Metrolink" or "commuter rail"
Metrolink, such as it currently exists, is diesel, and it uses older rail lines that have been used for freight in recent years.
here, we're talking about expanding that operation into relatively virgin territory, rail transit-wise. we're talking about rail construction, which would be much more expensive than taking an existing rail line and making improvements to the corridor. we're probably looking at electrification to avoid the inevitable noise and pollution concerns that a dieselized operation on Hawthorne would generate.
personally, I think it would be awesome to have such a thing on Hawthorne. but, the political realities are pointing towards the Harbor Sub, which is not a bad alternative. you could allow Metrolink's existing equipment onto the Subdivision; you could have trains in the general vicinity of LAX, and potentially station stops in the South Bay. I'd use it. I may no longer live in that area, but my folks still do ;D
alternatively, you could upgrade the Harbor Sub to something more resembling Metro Rail than Metrolink.
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Post by Tony Fernandez on Dec 31, 2007 16:44:50 GMT -8
I have no problem with the Harbor Subdivision, and I would have no problem if that is built, however, I just don't know if these other alternatives have been given enough thought. I would hope that any commuter rail line to the area would be electrified, but that raises the construction cost significantly. I could really see Hawthorne being a great place for this, but I also see a lot of problems with a train going 70 mph through a median.  |
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Post by James Fujita on Dec 31, 2007 17:34:19 GMT -8
well, any tracks on Hawthorne would almost certainly have to be either elevated or underground, unless you're willing to reduce the speeds, which would defeat the purpose of Metrolink.
might as well build a light rail line if you're going for the median. and elevated rails would seriously increase the NIMBY factor, which is part of the reason why the Metro Gold Line got built instead of the South Bay extension of the Green Line.
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Post by Tony Fernandez on Dec 31, 2007 17:37:07 GMT -8
I wouldn't see a reason to build a light rail line there when the ROW is so close for a Green Line extension. I had another idea, and it ended at the intersection of Del Amo/Prairie. This too, would have to go through a median, although not as long as Hawthorne, on Vermont. The only reason that I don't like this option is that it doesn't go as far down as some of the other options.
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