Gold Line's Eastside Extension is a model for America
On Friday, I toured the new Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension in Los Angeles. This line, now nearing completion, is a great example of the new mobility the Obama Administration is working hard to bring to America's communities.
The extension is a 6-mile light rail line running from downtown L.A.'s Union Station to Atlantic. Along the way, the line connects downtown L.A. with Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Boyle Heights, and East L.A.
This extension demonstrates precisely the kind of multi-modal livability we've been advocating for. It offers connections to Metro and community bus lines; Metro Red and Purple lines; LAX via a free shuttle; Metrolink commuter rail service; and Amtrak. Through those direct connections, the Eastside Extension links its 8 stations to the rest of Greater Los Angeles.
Along the way, I saw wonderful housing opportunities and very livable communities. Metro estimates about 13,000 daily trips on this extension by the end of its first year. That's livable mobility, designed specifically for the communities the Eastside Extension serves.
The line would not be nearing completion without the hard work of Congresswomen Napolitano and Roybal-Allard. Their leadership made sure funding was available to the local leaders who want to improve the quality of life in their communities.
This is a model for America, and I congratulate everyone involved for making this happen.
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It could be a proud day in Detroit if and when--- Transportation Secretary La Hood cuts the blue ribbon at the entrance of the restored Michigan Central Train Station as the centerpiece of a regional--- Amtrak, streetcar, commuter rail, transit/tour bus, taxi, limousine and park&ride complex with retail, hotel, restaurant and entertainment facilities...
This is a great news for an under-represented community. Now they can have alternate access to Downtown, Pasadena, and Hollywood. It may not be as quick as driving, but it is a good way to reduce individuals carbon footprint and reduce the stress traffic causes.
The line would not be mere light-rail, and it would not be nearing completion 20 years late, if not for the "hard work" of Zev Yaroslavsky and Henry Waxman to prevent further construction of the Red Line. Why are they still in office?
Still, it is better late than never, and even as it is too little, it is better than the alternative. Lets hope the eastside businesses recover quickly, and East LA comes into its own.
Lets hope we can get the Regional Connector funded, along with the grade separation of the Expo Line, the Gold Line Foothill extension, and get the MTA to learn what "Express" means.
It could be a proud day in Detroit as Transportation Secretary La Hood cuts the ribbon at the entrance of the restored Michigan Central Train Station as the centerpiece of a regional...memorable time for all at the place.
Even before the red line is extended westward, LA needs a north south rail line to connect the new expo, red line hollywood and the green line, with a connector like that trips would be shorter and more would ride
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
However, the Metro Red Line will be a different story... The EXPO is getting ready to widen the streets on Westwood Blvd. and Overland Blvd. (which have 3000 cars per hour at peak traffic hours). The trains are going through "at grad" including less than a 100 yds. from an Elementary School every 15 minutes. The traffic snarl will be terrible, and will be a huge detriment to the tranquility of our neighborhood, and a danger to the children getting to school. Please, the State tried at one time to get the train to move above ground. Culver City, just south of us, asked EXPO to go above ground and they did. We need to reconsider this "at ground" decision. Zev Yarolslavsky, the current City Council member, has already announced that he is not seeking another term and has told us in a meeting a year ago that "this will happen whether you want it to or not." He also told me that the plans would not affect my property, now they are renigging on that as well.
As well as the GOLD LINE was implemented, I think the rush to get the RED LINE to the beach before a certain Mayor is gone, is TOO MUCH OF A RUSH, and should be slowed down to make it a good thing for the neighborhoods in which it passes through and a safe one for traffic and the children.
The traffic snarl will be terrible, and will be a huge detriment to the tranquility of our neighborhood, and a danger to the children getting to school. Please, the State tried at one time to get the train to move above ground.
It could be a proud day in Detroit if and when--- Transportation Secretary La Hood cuts the blue ribbon at the entrance of the restored Michigan Central Train Station as the centerpiece of a regional--- Amtrak, streetcar, commuter rail, transit/tour bus, taxi, limousine and park&ride complex with retail, hotel, restaurant and entertainment facilities...
Posted by: railwayist | July 07, 2009 at 03:04 AM
This is a great news for an under-represented community. Now they can have alternate access to Downtown, Pasadena, and Hollywood. It may not be as quick as driving, but it is a good way to reduce individuals carbon footprint and reduce the stress traffic causes.
Posted by: robertoc | July 07, 2009 at 02:59 PM
The line would not be mere light-rail, and it would not be nearing completion 20 years late, if not for the "hard work" of Zev Yaroslavsky and Henry Waxman to prevent further construction of the Red Line. Why are they still in office?
Still, it is better late than never, and even as it is too little, it is better than the alternative. Lets hope the eastside businesses recover quickly, and East LA comes into its own.
Lets hope we can get the Regional Connector funded, along with the grade separation of the Expo Line, the Gold Line Foothill extension, and get the MTA to learn what "Express" means.
Posted by: Rail Fan | July 07, 2009 at 03:44 PM
It could be a proud day in Detroit as Transportation Secretary La Hood cuts the ribbon at the entrance of the restored Michigan Central Train Station as the centerpiece of a regional...memorable time for all at the place.
Posted by: Orlando Florida Limousine | July 15, 2009 at 06:10 AM
Even before the red line is extended westward, LA needs a north south rail line to connect the new expo, red line hollywood and the green line, with a connector like that trips would be shorter and more would ride
Posted by: dickmason | July 19, 2009 at 02:38 PM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Patricia
http://lioneltrains.info
Posted by: Patricia | August 08, 2009 at 10:46 AM
However, the Metro Red Line will be a different story... The EXPO is getting ready to widen the streets on Westwood Blvd. and Overland Blvd. (which have 3000 cars per hour at peak traffic hours). The trains are going through "at grad" including less than a 100 yds. from an Elementary School every 15 minutes. The traffic snarl will be terrible, and will be a huge detriment to the tranquility of our neighborhood, and a danger to the children getting to school. Please, the State tried at one time to get the train to move above ground. Culver City, just south of us, asked EXPO to go above ground and they did. We need to reconsider this "at ground" decision. Zev Yarolslavsky, the current City Council member, has already announced that he is not seeking another term and has told us in a meeting a year ago that "this will happen whether you want it to or not." He also told me that the plans would not affect my property, now they are renigging on that as well.
As well as the GOLD LINE was implemented, I think the rush to get the RED LINE to the beach before a certain Mayor is gone, is TOO MUCH OF A RUSH, and should be slowed down to make it a good thing for the neighborhoods in which it passes through and a safe one for traffic and the children.
Posted by: Jim Hillin | September 20, 2009 at 12:57 PM
The traffic snarl will be terrible, and will be a huge detriment to the tranquility of our neighborhood, and a danger to the children getting to school. Please, the State tried at one time to get the train to move above ground.
Posted by: create a free blog | July 30, 2010 at 06:53 AM