Regional Connector

Renders Show Reimagined 1st & Alameda

By Eric Richardson — May 19, 2008 — 19 Comments

Metro

Renderings presented by Metro at recent meetings show potentially huge changes for the corner of 1st & Alameda. Three layers of action could see north-south traffic bypassing the intersection from below, while fanciful elevated sidewalks would send pedestrians above the cars and trains below.

The renders are part of Metro's Alternatives Analysis study for the Regional Connector project. Metro has been working on options for connecting the potentially below-grade Connector with the above-grade Gold Line Eastside Extension, currently finishing construction. — Continued Inside...

Regional Connector Down to Two Alternatives

By Eric Richardson — May 07, 2008 — 57 Comments

Metro

Planning for the Regional Connector is down to two preferred alternatives, one above ground and one below. Costs for the two differ by only $150 million.

At a meeting of the Bringing Back Broadway Streetcar Committee this afternoon, Metro staff presented the Connector project, intended to link the Blue and Expo light rail lines with the two parts of the Gold Line. At peak times, 48 trains per hour will use the Connector.

The cost difference between the two was much narrower than many had expected. The above-ground Connector estimates came in at $650 million, with a subway alternative at $800 million. — Continued Inside...

Tonight: Talk Regional Connector with DLANC

By Eric Richardson — March 24, 2008 — 2 Comments

Ed Fuentes

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).

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, one commenter questioned whether the fire department would even sign off on that, given that it typically requires closer to twenty.

As reported last night, four of the eight alternatives would run at-grade on 2nd street. After the jump, images of all eight alternatives presented last night. Metro emphasized that it is still early in the process, but the chosen study options represent their current thinking. — Continued Inside...

Comments Clear on Connector Route Alternatives: Go Underground

By Eric Richardson — February 26, 2008 — 32 Comments

Ed Fuentes

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 was clear: at-grade alignments through Downtown are simply not feasible or acceptable.

The street-running span on 2nd brought concern from a varied group of stakeholders. Issues raised included the effect on Little Tokyo events that currently use the street, the ability of LAFD to navigate a single narrow lane left for vehicle traffic, the effect of trains on north-south traffic, and whether such an option would provide the capacity needed. After the meeting several current and former City staffers expressed shock that Metro could even think of building and running such a system. — Continued Inside...

Regional Connector Debate Ready for Round 2

By Eric Richardson — February 21, 2008 — 43 Comments

Connector routing as art: a sketch by former LADOT Assistant GM James Okazaki.

Next week Metro is holding a pair of meetings on the Regional Connector, a project designed to create through-trips for the agency's light rail lines. Unlike November's meetings, which were just about taking opinions, with no feedback or Q&A, this time Metro has some possible alignments that they'll be looking to present, with Q&A to follow a project update.

It's almost certain that Metro will bring to the table a plan that has the Connector run at-grade through Downtown. A likely route would have the tracks continue north from the Blue Line at 7th/Metro, surfacing around 3rd or 2nd streets. The line would then turn right and proceed at-grade to Alameda before connecting to the Gold Line eastside extension. As we discussed before, an at-grade routing simply will not work for Downtown.

In the spirit of Q&A, I leave you with three questions I would put to Metro:

1. At-grade service means running 300' long trains across several key north-south streets at very short intervals. How would this impact traffic and pedestrians Downtown?

2. Downtown's north-south corridors are ground-zero for marches and protests. Is it acceptable for a critical rail corridor to be paralyzed every time a march occurs?

3. Given the importance of this project, isn't it worth taking the time and finding the money to do it right and not face the same kind of cost-cutting issues we see today on the Gold Line and Expo Line?

There are two Metro Connector meetings next week. The first is Tuesday, February 26th, at 6:30pm at the Japanese American National Museum (369 E. 1st Street). The second is Thursday, February 28th, at noon at the Central Library (630 W. 5th Street).

Another Chance to Talk Downtown Connector

By Eric Richardson — November 13, 2007 — 66 Comments

Tonight Downtowners get another chance to talk about Metro's proposed Regional Connector. Metro will be attending tonight's DLANC Board meeting to give a special presentation, scheduled for 7:15pm at the Palace Theater on Broadway.

Though they were devoid of Q&A, last week's scoping meetings did turn out a variety of interesting public comment. MetroRiderLA posted this recap of the Wednesday session, and Ed and I stopped by the Thursday affair. I was most intrigued by the comments of former LADOT Assistant GM James Okazaki, who made a strong case for why the Connector should hit the Eastside Gold Line north of the Little Tokyo station rather than south of it.

Pictured, Connector routing as art: discussion sketch by former LADOT Assistant GM James Okazaki

Talk Connector Rail with Metro; Tomorrow and Wednesday

By Eric Richardson — November 05, 2007 — 18 Comments

This week Metro is hosting two community meetings to gauge interest and opinion in the light rail Downtown / Regional Connector, a project intended to bridge the gap between the Gold Line and Blue / Expo lines. As you can see from the project map to the right, they don't exactly have a plan together yet.

The Connector is a highly important project for three reasons. First, it allows the chance to add a couple more stations Downtown and improve general transit. Second, it offers loads of flexibility, allowing trains to run long routes like Long Beach to Pasadena or East LA to the Westside. And finally, it gives Metro a connection to get Gold Line cars to the Blue Line maintenance yard, their main light rail facility. Right now cars have to be trucked over when they need big-time maintenance.

So come check out the discussion and add your two cents. Meetings are Tuesday, 11:30am - 1:30pm at the Central Library and Wednesday, 6pm - 8pm at the Japanese American National Museum (369 E. First).