blogdowntown: Movement & Transportation

Tonight: Talk Regional Connector with DLANC

By Eric Richardson — March 24, 2008
2 Comments

As I mentioned on Friday, Metro will be coming to a meeting of DLANC’s Transportation committee this evening to discuss the Regional Connector. This is an important project for Downtown, both in its potential benefits and in the way it could harm the neighborhood if done poorly. The meeting is at 6:30pm, at the LATC (514 S. Spring).

Closure Report for March 22nd

By Eric Richardson — March 21, 2008
10 Comments

It’s a very busy Saturday for filming closures, so plan your routes carefully. This weekend’s Closure Report is sponsored by A&E, Saturn, Heineken and, most importantly, Dodge. 2nd street tunnel is closed 6am to 10pm for Morton Jankel Zander to film a Saturn ad. The same company is also closing the 4th street freeway (110 to Olive) from 7am to...

Monday: Regional Connector with Metro and DLANC

By Eric Richardson — March 21, 2008

Last month Metro presented their initial build alternatives for the Regional Connector, a project intended to tie together L.A.’s light rail lines. Five of the eight alternatives presented would run at-grade down 2nd street, closing the street to vehicle service. On Monday, Metro will be attending a meeting of DLANC’s Transportation Committee to...

What's a DASH Monthly Pass Worth to You?

By Eric Richardson — March 20, 2008
7 Comments

With the city’s December decision to quit accepting Metro most tickets and passes on DASH, one would imagine that quite a few more riders have been finding it necessary to keep some quarters on hand. Looking to make life easier for them, the city’s Board of Transportation Commissioners late last month approved a $9 monthly pass that covers all DASH...

Just Another Last Minute Closure

By Eric Richardson — March 15, 2008
8 Comments

Here’s one of those little “Oh, and by the way…” moments that we all love so much about Downtown filming. Around noon Friday Film LA sent out a notification that Grand Avenue would be closed all day Saturday between 5th and Wilshire for New Regency Productions to shoot “Mirrors.” At 9:10pm they sent out a revised agenda saying...

When Alternative Transportation Competes: the Tension Between Buses vs Bikes

By Eric Richardson — March 14, 2008
18 Comments

The city’s currently engaged in an update of the Bicycle Master Plan, and as we’ve discussed before, Downtown has some particular issues for bike planning. Riding back from Hollywood this afternoon I encountered an issue that’s citywide, but especially relevant here in Downtown: the tension between bikes and buses. Heading eastbound on Sunset...

Buses, Baseball and Parks: Discussing Transit for Dodger Stadium and Elysian Park

By Eric Richardson — February 28, 2008
31 Comments

In discussion before the City council’s transportation committee yesterday, it seemed everyone in the room agreed: public transit to Dodger Stadium makes good sense. How exactly that could happen was a subject of a little more discussion. In December Councilmembers Ed Reyes and Eric Garcetti introduced a motion that would have Metro and DOT take a look...

Metro Says Welcome to the New Second Street

By Eric Richardson — February 27, 2008
29 Comments

This image from Metro’s Tuesday night presentation shows the transit agency’s rendering of what 2nd street would look like with at-grade rail operation. Pictured is 2nd approaching Main street. The new LAPD headquarters is at left, with the Higgins building on the right. Auto traffic would be reduced to one 11-foot lane for local access. At the meeting...

Comments Clear on Connector Route Alternatives: Go Underground

By Eric Richardson — February 26, 2008
32 Comments

Of the eight “Build Alternatives” presented at tonight’s public meeting on the proposed Regional Connector, five would run trains through Downtown on surface streets, with all but one of those removing auto traffic from 2nd street and converting it to “transit dedication.” After the presentation, the message delivered by stakeholders...

Council Approves DASH Changes; Creates New Central City East Route

By Eric Richardson — February 26, 2008
9 Comments

Council today approved the recommendations of a Downtown DASH study that would reroute the DASH A, eliminate the City Hall Shuttle and use a freed up bus to create a new route serving Central City East. The newly approved route will run in a clockwise circuit, passing by Little Tokyo, Central City East and the Flower Market. The DASH A route will be modified...