In case you haven’t heard: The Expo Line’s got the go ahead to prepare to roll out to Santa Monica — unless the project gets derailed into court.
Plans for the long-awaited light rail line got a boost yesterday, when the Expo construction authority cleared the second phase of the project, allowing design and construction plans to progress. Streetsblog LA’s Damien Newton has a detailed account and analysis of the meeting.
The first phase of the Expo line, which broke ground in 2006, goes from downtown Los Angeles south to USC then west to Culver City. It’s also $220 million over its original budget and more than a year behind schedule, according to the L.A. Times. The line’s expected to open partially this summer, with the Culver City station hoped to be running by the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012.
The second phase would connect Culver City to Santa Monica, with construction hopefully beginning at the end of this year and the Santa Monica stations opening — some day in the future.
While many westsiders eagerly seek this car-free alternative to travel, the Expo line’s been besieged with various groups arguing against at-grade crossings in their neighborhoods. An organization called Neighbors for Smart Rail wants the Expo line to go underground at Overland and Sepulveda, for example, citing noise, safety, and other issues. More Expo-friendly groups like Friends 4 Expo, however, have pointed out that the Environmental Impact Report done on the project didn’t show safety concerns at-grade, and argue that an underground tunnel would make construction a lot more expensive, potentially jeopardizing the rail project. According to Steve Hymon at Metro’s blog The Source:
Expo Line officials say that the cost of putting the tracks under Overland and Westwood would be an additional $224 million. Bridging over the two streets — which would likely create aesthetic concerns for neighbors — would cost $66 million. No source of money has yet been found for those upgrades; the line is currently going to be paid for with $925 million from the Measure R sales tax increase voters approved in 2008 and about $600 million in state and local funds.
Streetsblog LA wonders if Neighbors for Smart Rail will sue now that the project’s going forward — but perhaps a motion to study whether or not to elevate the crossing at Sepulveda that passed at the meeting will have appeased the group enough to keep the project out of court. Another motion pushed back the decision on whether to have a parking lot or a park space at Westwood Station. Both those battles will come up at a future Expo meeting.
Image via Metro’s The Source
The motion won’t keep them out of court. Grade-crossing isn’t the issue. They’re afraid that the rail line will bring people with dark skin into their neighborhoods and depress their property values.
Comment by Don Hosek — February 5, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
If it doesn’t, hopefully the judge will throw out the case quickly –
Comment by Siel — February 8, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
I live in the Overland and Sepulveda area. The whole intersection is an ugly noise ridden mess, at the cross roads of the 10 and 405. I have owned a house here for 6 years and I say build the train above ground, like it was. Put in a nice area to wait and park ,with security. The people againts this have a lame argument with no compromise…. Oh and most of this neighborhood has “dark skin” in some way or another, and our property values are are holding just fine….thanks for your concern
Comment by Melody — February 22, 2010 @ 10:16 am
Glad to hear that the neighborhood has transit-friendly residents like you :)
Comment by Siel — February 23, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
The city needs this for sure. Its cheaper than a subway too!
Comment by Fred — June 11, 2010 @ 12:01 pm