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Post by Gokhan on Jul 14, 2013 9:42:36 GMT -8
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Post by darrell on Jul 15, 2013 15:21:44 GMT -8
Big news from Dwight: The good news on timing is that he's been here for most of the major construction. The later parts are much less dramatic, and others of us will continue to post photo updates so he can see progress from afar.
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Post by darrell on Jul 15, 2013 19:04:07 GMT -8
The CPUC Proposed Decision on the rehearing of the Phase 2 crossings was posted Friday. I'm just starting to read its 87 pages, but its Summary is very direct: They didn't wait for the California Supreme Court ruling, but do explicitly address the issue of the baseline year. More after reading the Proposed Decision. Here's some of what they wrote about baseline year (page 39). Wonder if this foreshadows the Supreme Court? No points in the discussion favored NFSR, and this one (pages 47-8) was particularly critical:
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Post by John Ryan on Jul 15, 2013 20:43:09 GMT -8
The CPUC Proposed Decision on the rehearing of the Phase 2 crossings was posted Friday. I'm just starting to read its 87 pages, but its Summary is very direct: They didn't wait for the California Supreme Court ruling, but do explicitly address the issue of the baseline year. Great news
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Post by rubbertoe on Jul 16, 2013 10:07:23 GMT -8
In looking at the forms for Venice, it appears that each of the bridge portions between the columns will be solid. This is different than say the Olympic/Cloverfield structure that was much wider, and had "stems" with a deck on top. Does this seem correct?
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 16, 2013 12:48:46 GMT -8
In looking at the forms for Venice, it appears that each of the bridge portions between the columns will be solid. This is different than say the Olympic/Cloverfield structure that was much wider, and had "stems" with a deck on top. Does this seem correct? No, I think it will be the same -- a hollow-box structure with a deck on it.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 16, 2013 12:54:18 GMT -8
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Post by roadtrainer on Jul 17, 2013 5:12:50 GMT -8
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Post by metrocenter on Jul 17, 2013 9:42:19 GMT -8
Great news about proposed NFSR ruling. It sounds like that group's only hope now is the Cali Supreme Court. I'd like to think that's a "Hail Mary" for them, with little actual chance of success.
Man, it's exciting to watch this project being built! The landscape of the Westside is being formed anew, especially with all the positive changes in land use near all the stations. Once Expo opens to Santa Monica, it'll be a whole new ballgame.
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Post by rajacobs on Jul 17, 2013 10:59:35 GMT -8
Speaking of "all the positive changes in land use near all the stations," what's with the NW corner of La Cienega and Exposition? Looks ideal for some sort of TOD, across from the station and all, but instead it's a derelict eyesore!
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Post by bzcat on Jul 17, 2013 11:41:51 GMT -8
I believe it is a junk yard and "recycling" center right now. It is definitely an eye sore as you can see all kinds of garbage and junk in there when the train roll by. But I suspect any new use at the site will probably require some expensive cleanup.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 17, 2013 11:56:20 GMT -8
There was a business there in that building (used furniture?) but after many months of advertising going-out-of-business liquidation sales, they went out of business. Now, the building is vacated.
On another note, Expo would have acquired that lot to smooth the sharp turn in that corner, but they've run out of money to do so.
Also, the sidewalk is really narrow on that section of Jefferson Blvd.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 17, 2013 12:17:40 GMT -8
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Post by matthewb on Jul 18, 2013 5:28:41 GMT -8
Speaking of "all the positive changes in land use near all the stations," what's with the NW corner of La Cienega and Exposition? Looks ideal for some sort of TOD, across from the station and all, but instead it's a derelict eyesore! If the zoning is such that a higher value TOD is allowed to be built, the market will eventually take care of that corner. The main problem seems to be that zoning and CEQA are aligned against infill projects as they put up too many procedural barriers and give too many opportunities for NIMBY lawsuits. Proper zoning should be a no-brainer first step. Allow up to 10 story developments within a block of a station, with a simplified permit process and reduced parking requirements.
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Post by John Ryan on Jul 18, 2013 7:55:55 GMT -8
Great news about proposed NFSR ruling. It sounds like that group's only hope now is the Cali Supreme Court. I'd like to think that's a "Hail Mary" for them, with little actual chance of success. Man, it's exciting to watch this project being built! The landscape of the Westside is being formed anew, especially with all the positive changes in land use near all the stations. Once Expo opens to Santa Monica, it'll be a whole new ballgame. You all confused me and I thought you were discussing NFSR vs. Metro Expo Construction Authority. Way to get my hopes up.
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Post by metrocenter on Jul 18, 2013 8:34:26 GMT -8
You all confused me and I thought you were discussing NFSR vs. Metro Expo Construction Authority. Way to get my hopes up. Nope, it was a CPUC ruling. And technically, it's still "proposed" (meaning the public still has a chance to comment on it before the CPUC board votes to finalize the decision).
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Post by John Ryan on Jul 18, 2013 9:10:29 GMT -8
You all confused me and I thought you were discussing NFSR vs. Metro Expo Construction Authority. Way to get my hopes up. Nope, it was a CPUC ruling. And technically, it's still "proposed" (meaning the public still has a chance to comment on it before the CPUC board votes to finalize the decision). Yeah, I had already seen the CPUC ruling and thought you were referencing a new event, namely NFSR vs. Metro Expo Construction Authority.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 18, 2013 12:26:27 GMT -8
Nope, it was a CPUC ruling. And technically, it's still "proposed" (meaning the public still has a chance to comment on it before the CPUC board votes to finalize the decision). Yeah, I had already seen the CPUC ruling and thought you were referencing a new event, namely NFSR vs. Metro Expo Construction Authority. The CA Supreme Court case final decision will be announced on August 6, 2013, or earlier.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 18, 2013 12:35:07 GMT -8
Let me take you guys to Venice/Robertson Boulevards today, near the border of Los Angeles and Culver City that is located slightly south of Venice Blvd. Looking west from near the Venice/Robertson Bridge: Looking east from the same spot to the Venice/Robertson Bridge: There is still a short piece of falsework missing for the west end of the westbound track. (Don't drive a westbound train past Venice/Robertson yet. ) Looking east: Looking west: This is where the last piece of falsework is missing for the westbound track:
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Post by darrell on Jul 18, 2013 16:22:24 GMT -8
Thanks, Gokhan, love these photos!!
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Post by darrell on Jul 21, 2013 23:35:56 GMT -8
Catching up with (my crops of) three good photos by Dwight: 7/1/13 — Looking west from the Centinela bridge into Santa Monica you see the ballast sub-base has been spread. 7/1/13 — The bridge deck over Cloverfield is complete, with forms being built farther west. 6/18/13 — A big concrete pour was underway for the Sepulveda bridge's stems (vertical walls) and soffits.
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jul 23, 2013 11:59:14 GMT -8
Hey guys, I have a question. Why doesn't the Expo Construction Authority or the contractors call for prefabricated bridges for rail lines in Southern California? Let me explain why I ask, I was doing some reading on the London Overground, a suburban railway network for Greater London, UK, where after the consolidation of the system some rather quick extensions where made in addition to additional connections to the London Underground. For this quick task to remain quick they took on prefabricated bridges (in this case all metal) that after some engineering and design work could be placed as a single piece or multiples depending on size and scope. I here is a photo of a prefabricated bridge going in that now carries electric multiple unit trains: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Overground_Shoreditch_bridge_AB2.JPG The manufacturer's website says that after engineering the bridge and designing for aesthetics such a bridge can be installed in the matter of a week. There's articles that can be found with an internet search that describe that prefabricated bridges have been built and tested (prefabricated concrete and metal segments) to seismically withstand up to a 7.0 earthquake. My intention is not necessary to stir the pot, but to perhaps reach someone with the power to look at and make a decision on whether this modern technology is suitable for the "light metro" rail system being construction to better keep timelines, or even speed them, and save on cost. Prefabricated bridges do cost much less and allow local crews to install them resulting in lower labor costs also. I feel sure that with the technical expertise someone on this board will know. Thanks.
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Post by bzcat on Jul 23, 2013 14:38:09 GMT -8
My guess is prefab is only cheaper if you do not have enough land to stage construction. Expo is build in largely in low density suburban environment and the entire line is in a cleared right of way with only a few elevated crossings - so you can stage bridge construction in the right of way and the open lands next to the right of way. The East London Overground extensions involve constructions in some pretty dense urban area and working rail right of way with no suitable staging area so prefab was a solution. Expo doesn't have that problem.
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Post by timquinn on Jul 23, 2013 17:02:26 GMT -8
If you look at the way those viaducts are being constructed you will get a hint of the reason for building on site here in Los Angeles versus pre-fab. The whole thing is one giant piece of reinforced concrete knitted together out of different castings and pours. There are very few joints in the span and those have large overlaps. In a pre-fab system the joints are frequent and much weaker than in the system in use. I am sure it is because of the requirements of earthquake engineering. Those of us who have been around long enough to remember the Sylmar quake recall pictures of toppled overpasses and fat concrete columns that turned into "birdcages" in the few minutes of the quake. The engineers responsible took a big gasp of air and started looking and experimenting to be sure that did not happen again. Now the Re-bar cages that hold the tension in these columns are engineering marvels made from many long continuous pieces of helical rebar interwoven with long straight pieces. The resulting column cages are about 100 feet long and are mostly in the ground. 12 feet in diameter and 100 feet long. Those are delivered by truck. So you could say some of it is "pre-fab." Where the cages top out the last six feet or so remains bare rebar and is intimately interwoven with the rebar forming the track-bed and viaduct. When the concrete is poured for the viaduct the whole thing becomes one huge unit with no weak points (more or less.) This makes for a structure that can withstand the racking forces that an earthquake delivers. I understand that in London if you leave a stack of eight bricks you can come back in a hundred years and it will still be there. (I made that part up)
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Post by joshuanickel on Jul 26, 2013 15:40:23 GMT -8
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Post by culvercitylocke on Jul 29, 2013 9:38:10 GMT -8
my work changed locations this month, and last night I drove under the Venice bridge for the first time in July. Gotta say the entire bridge looks really impressive, now that falsework has fully spanned the streets. Can't wait to see it in a few months when the forms come off.
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Post by davebowman on Jul 31, 2013 10:48:39 GMT -8
This morning I saw that they've started to erect the wall panel thingys (for the ramp?) on the east end of the Olympic/Cloverfield bridge.
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Post by joshuanickel on Aug 2, 2013 16:32:31 GMT -8
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Post by rubbertoe on Aug 8, 2013 17:02:01 GMT -8
Dwight is updating the pictures right now!
Anyone care to hazard a guess whether it will be under or over 200?
RT
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Post by joshuanickel on Aug 8, 2013 19:10:54 GMT -8
Dwight is updating the pictures right now! Anyone care to hazard a guess whether it will be under or over 200? RT Dwight Says:
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