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Post by metrocenter on Sept 15, 2014 8:45:27 GMT -8
The Regional Connector is currently "Under Construction". The contract has been signed ( link), and initial work has begun. This thread will be the place for all project developments and updates going forward. |
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 15, 2014 8:56:59 GMT -8
The 2nd/Hope " Upper Level Entrance and Pedestrian Bridge" was approved by the Metro Board back in May. ( link) The upper entrance and bridge are needed to provide direct access to the upper level of Bunker Hill. This is level corresponds to the elevation of Grand Avenue, where the majority of businesses and attractions (museums, Disney Hall, Music Center, Colburn school) are located. This month (September), the Board will vote to approve $3.3 million through a contract change to build this option. ( link) |
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Post by bzcat on Sept 15, 2014 9:46:35 GMT -8
When will the excavation and decking begin for station construction?
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 15, 2014 12:22:23 GMT -8
When will the excavation and decking begin for station construction? Excavation/construction is planned for early next year (2015). However, utility relocation is also scheduled to continue through Spring 2015, overlapping with construction. Hopefully, utility relocation delays and difficulties won't impact the construction schedule. EDIT: As of the May project update, the master schedule showed heavy construction activities beginning this year, in September/October. These activities include guideway work (tunneling and cut-and-cover), as well as the beginning of excavation of the 1st/Central and 1st/Broadway stations. However, all indications are that these activities are delayed. Work is still ongoing re: final design, and the Metro Board is still considering several design options to include/exclude. Demolition at 1st/Central (of the Atomic Cafe) is scheduled for next month. |
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 30, 2014 6:44:08 GMT -8
Today is the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Regional Connector. It is taking place in Little Tokyo at 9 AM. I got the invite but cannot attend (I have to work).
If anybody is going, pictures would be greatly appreciated!
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Post by masonite on Sept 30, 2014 9:08:35 GMT -8
Today is the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Regional Connector. It is taking place in Little Tokyo at 9 AM. I got the invite but cannot attend (I have to work). If anybody is going, pictures would be greatly appreciated! Nice to say we have 4 projects under construction and the Purple Line not too far behind (perhaps by early 2015). |
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Post by metrocenter on Sept 30, 2014 11:10:23 GMT -8
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Post by metrocenter on Oct 2, 2014 7:06:40 GMT -8
Metro Board Agenda Item: New Subway Entrance to 7th/MetroMetro is now beginning negotiations with owners of "The Bloc" (formerly Macy's Plaza/Broadway Plaza) to create a new entrance to the 7th/Metro Center station. This has for quite awhile now been part of the renovation plans for The Bloc. This Metro decision will allow negotiation of funding, and then design and environmental clearance. (Crossposted in Blue Line, Expo Line and Regional Connector threads.) |
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Post by gatewaygent on Oct 5, 2014 12:06:03 GMT -8
Ha-ha, I just posted something on the Blue Line News thread that probably should have gone here. No problem though. So is this why The Bloc has been partitioned off? Is this imminent and as easy as removing a few knock-out panels?
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Post by joemagruder on Oct 6, 2014 1:30:43 GMT -8
Imminent? Notice that it apparently requires environmental clearances.
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Post by bzcat on Oct 6, 2014 14:20:39 GMT -8
The station has portholes on all sides covered up by knock out panels so there will be no structure changes required to the station. What has to be done is tunneling from the private property to the portholes, and Metro and the private property owners will have to agree to share the costs somehow.
We are not there yet of course... $400k request covers the cost of preliminary engineering work and environmental clearances. Once the engineering work is completed, we will have a construction budget and Metro and property owner will then discuss how to pay for it.
It's not clear what kind of environmental clearances is required... I don't think EIR is required (there was none for the North Hollywood station tunnel) but I'm sure there are still tons of paperwork that needs to be filed.
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Post by gatewaygent on Oct 6, 2014 17:27:12 GMT -8
I don't think this would require an EIR either, though tons of paperwork, permits, and permission: without a doubt! It might require EIR if there were something living in the ground, under the street, between The Bloc and the current station. Earthworms I don't think count nor does whatever lives in the sewer pipes these days.
So now the question: Who owns 7th St. between The Bloc and 7th/Metro Station, L.A. County or the state?
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Post by timquinn on Oct 6, 2014 18:14:57 GMT -8
I don't think this would require an EIR either, though tons of paperwork, permits, and permission: without a doubt! It might require EIR if there were something living in the ground, under the street, between The Bloc and the current station. Earthworms I don't think count nor does whatever lives in the sewer pipes these days. So now the question: Who owns 7th St. between The Bloc and 7th/Metro Station, L.A. County or the state? EIRs are not about butterflies and poppies for the most part. They are about what effect the project will have on the community in every respect that can be imagined in advance. Traffic, jobs, views, comparing the different possible proposals with doing nothing at all, how the construction will impact all these things as well as the long term results of having the project built. They are thick and dense, but make for fine late night browsing. It is the only responsible approach to development in an existing community. Every project over some pre-determined budget, and it aint that big, must do an EIR before beginning. One of the steps is the scoping meeting where the community is asked what issues they are concerned about and any issues raised must be addressed in the report. This is the only bulwark against rampant abuse by developers and incompetence by government agents. |
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Post by gatewaygent on Oct 6, 2014 22:22:47 GMT -8
Damn those people in the 80's and their closed minds for not allowing this to come to fruition back then!
I pondered for a moment how many different ways there are to abuse construction of [or mess up] a tunnel portal under a street and the answer: too many! It's really sad that something that is so straight-forward--station access to/from a local business--would need to go through a process that takes years. I wonder how the North Hollywood Station tunnel avoided an EIR?
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Post by metrocenter on Oct 7, 2014 5:07:39 GMT -8
So now the question: Who owns 7th St. between The Bloc and 7th/Metro Station, L.A. County or the state? I'm pretty sure that's the City of Los Angeles. Every party involved (The Bloc, Metro, City of LA, and potentially utilities) will need to be consulted, and easements will need to be negotiated and granted. One of the sticky subjects is the fact that the public will be entering/exiting the public facility (metro station) by passing through private property. This brings up issues such as liability, how the public can be guaranteed free access, and how first responders can use the portal in an emergency. This probably won't need an EIR, but it will need some environmental clearance. If nothing else, they will need to explain why an EIR is not required. |
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Post by bzcat on Oct 7, 2014 15:21:05 GMT -8
There is also maintenance issues. Metro and The Bloc will have to come to an agreement on how to pay for ongoing costs related to this entrance.
The easements should be easy since all the parties are on the same page with providing access.
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Post by bzcat on Feb 23, 2015 14:07:08 GMT -8
Streetblog reports that per Metro's February Committee Meeting, Regional Connector is already 3 to 5 months behind schedule due to delays in utility relocation. This delay is eating into the contingency built into the project schedule so officially, it is still on time (2020 completion). But obviously there will no doubt be other delays ahead so it's a bit ominous that we are already using up a big chunk of contingency before station excavation or tunneling even began. la.streetsblog.org/2015/02/20/news-bits-from-metro-board-february-committee-meetings/ |
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Post by metrocenter on Apr 27, 2015 7:36:16 GMT -8
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Post by bzcat on Apr 27, 2015 11:42:33 GMT -8
Nice!
This is going to be the first private property entrance to Metro station in LA... a major milestone.
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Post by metrocenter on May 8, 2015 9:44:33 GMT -8
Somehow I missed this. The property known as Times Mirror Square (which includes the historic LA Times building) is going to be redeveloped. The new master plan includes the historic building, but presumably includes replacement of all the 70s crap that was added onto it. Anyway, the important thing is that the land owners (Tribune Real Estate) are planning to develop above the new 2nd/Broadway Metro station. It remains to be seen how the new developments will integrate with the station and its entrances. [Story Link] |
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Post by bzcat on Sept 8, 2015 13:01:03 GMT -8
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Post by gatewaygent on Sept 8, 2015 23:35:45 GMT -8
I really like when these threads are resurrected after months of inactivity. So has the Bonaventure et al. law suit been settled once and for all? Have the businesses/land owners around the area where the defunct 4th/5th Station was supposed to be come to terms with the fact that it's just not going to happen?
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Post by erict on Oct 2, 2015 13:46:39 GMT -8
Metro is currently working on or preparing for 3 stations on 3 separate rail lines at around the same time. This seems to me like a ton of work is coming upon us in late 2015 and 2016:
[li] The Regional Connector - 1st/Central Station1[/li]
[li] The Crenshaw Line - Leimert Park Station[/li]
[li] Purple Line - Wilshire/La Brea Station[/li][/ul][/font] Pile Installation at the 1st/Central Station YardRegional Connector Constructors (RCC) will be installing support of excavation soldier piles in preparation for tunnelling operations and station excavation at the future 1 st/Central Station. Leimert Park Station & Tunnel Construction Street ClosuresWork on the Leimert Park underground station and portal construction of the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project is moving to the next phase of construction. This work primarily consists of continued pile installation, utility relocations, sidewalk reconstruction, street excavation and decking, and construction of the tunnel/portal. This work will require multiple weekend closures and an extended closure of Crenshaw Bl. Wilshire Lane Reductions, Wilshire/ La Brea
Area: Wilshire/La Brea
Section 1 - In preparation for pile installation work in November, the Design-Build contractor will be installing k-rail and fencing around the north three lanes of Wilshire between Mansfield and Detroit St beginning 9 pm Friday, October 23rd until 6 am Monday, October 26th. Work will consist of street restriping, traffic signal reconfiguration and installation of k-rail and fencing. Parking will be removed on Wilshire from Mansfield to Detroit. This operation will reduce Wilshire Blvd to two lanes in each direction from Highland to Cloverdale. Reduced lanes will be in place for the duration of pile installation activities, which is anticipated to last 6-8 months.
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Post by metrocenter on Oct 5, 2015 10:06:56 GMT -8
Yeah I also recently read about the station at First/Central starting construction this fall. Really looking forward to it. I will have to set up a regular schedule for taking pictures, once things get started. Should be some good photo angles available from the parking structure at Japanese Village Plaza, across the street.
I wish I could say that work would be starting soon at 2nd/Hope, since I can see the entire site from my window at work. But alas, no. That station is not scheduled to be built for quite awhile.
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Post by metrocenter on Oct 5, 2015 10:07:44 GMT -8
Regarding the lawsuit, the following was the status as of May 2015: Then, the status as of August 2015: The Draft SEIS is here. I had not seen this before today, and I had no idea there was a public comment period in June. As of now (October 2015), the Final SEIS is not yet available online. |
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Post by culvercitylocke on Nov 5, 2015 9:46:44 GMT -8
Pile drilling begins saturday in little tokyo.
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Post by bzcat on Nov 10, 2015 16:33:20 GMT -8
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Post by transitfan on Nov 12, 2015 9:41:08 GMT -8
Interesting. That means that the East L. A. segment will effectively be isolated from the yard north of Union Station (unless they will keep one track open at a time for deadhead moves). |
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Post by TransportationZ on Nov 12, 2015 10:51:17 GMT -8
Long Distance riders into Union are probably just going to switch to the Rapid 770 on Caesar Chavez.
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Post by gatewaygent on Nov 17, 2015 21:06:17 GMT -8
This is where I wish Metro's money tree were in bloom so that they could take the opportunity and redo the bridge over the 101 so that the new bridge curves would handle trains traveling 30+ mph.
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