68 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

...passengers will be able to travel across the county on single trains, eliminating two transfers and $3 a trip in extra fares.

That's the product of L.A.'s ill-advised TAP fare system, where one must TAP in and out for each vehicle required to make a trip, greatly inflating the cost of travel. Since not everyone is going to or from downtown Los Angeles, Many (if they are in fact tapping in and out for each trip) are ending up paying double or triple the base fare.

It's a far cry from New York City's "one city one fare" policy, where the Metrocard allows time for transfers (either between subway lines or between subway & bus) and even multiple entries into the system where necessary under the same single base fare payment.

[KevinKorell]

Los Angeles, CA Times, 4/15/14:

A nearly $1-billion contract to build a downtown subway that would close one of the most frustrating gaps in Los Angeles County's rail network should go to two companies with experience in local rail construction, according to a Metro report published Tuesday.

Full story

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 4/25/14:

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (LACMTA) board yesterday awarded a $927.2 million contract to Regional Connector Constructors to design and build the Regional Connector Transit Corridor light-rail line.

Full story

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 7/7/14:

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has now signed a contract with a Skanska USA Civil/Traylor Brothers Inc. joint venture to construct the Regional Connector in downtown Los Angeles.

Here is that story.

[KevinKorell]

Metro Magazine, 9/30/14:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today participated in the groundbreaking of the Los Angeles Regional Connector, a key light rail transit segment connecting three existing transit lines in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

More

[KevinKorell]

And from Los Angeles, CA Times, 9/30/14:

Metro breaks ground on key downtown L.A. subway link

Transportation officials Tuesday cheered the start of construction for a subway project designed to close a frustrating gap in Los Angeles County's growing rail network.

Here's that story.

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading , 6/15/15:

Following legal challenges, LACMTA releases second environmental impact document

 

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) last week released a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (DSEIS) for the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project, an underground light-rail project that will connect the system's existing Gold, Blue and Expo lines.

Here is more.

[KevinKorell]

Los Angeles, CA Times, 11/12/15:

 

Costs and delays mount for downtown L.A. subway link

 

A $1.4-billion downtown subway project designed to seamlessly connect three of Los Angeles County's far-reaching rail lines has been hailed as the missing link in Metro's expanding mass transit network.

 

But before tunneling has begun, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is reporting cost overruns and schedule delays on the 1.9-mile Downtown Regional Connector.

That story

[Sloan]

 

 

Downtown LA Light Rail Loop Probably Won't Open By May 2021

 

Downtown's $1.4-billion, underground Regional Connector light rail project will one day connect the Expo, Blue, and Gold Lines and allow for one-seat rides between, say, Long Beach and Azusa or Santa Monica and East LA. But while it's underway, it's racking up extra costs and could be facing a delay of about six months or more, says the LA Times(it's scheduled to open waaay out in 2021). Moving underground electrical wires and similar utilities has already taken a huge bite out of the $92.7 million set aside for "unexpected cost increases"; about half of that money has been used up (pre-construction work began in 2012and the line officially broke ground last year); the total amount was supposed to last five years.

http://la.curbed.com...ys_increase.php

[CNJRoss]

Metro Magazine, 10/21:
 

LA Metro unveils new tunnel boring machine named Angeli

 

L.A. Metro joined elected officials and community stakeholders in Little Tokyo at the ceremonial naming and lowering of a segment of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) that will dig twin 1.1-mile underground rail tunnels under downtown Los Angeles. Excavation work will begin in January.

 

“This is a major milestone toward the completion of a vital project that truly connects the region by providing a one-seat ride to downtown Los Angeles for users of the Blue, Gold, and Expo lines,” said Metro Board Chair and Duarte City Council Member John Fasana. “The Regional Connector will reduce travel times for many Metro Rail riders and make our system much more convenient and attractive to those who want a transit alternative to driving.”

 

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