LA Metro Scores $669 Million To Finally Connect All Downtown Trains

[Turbo19]

^{The proposed layout of the new downtown regional connector.}

One of the biggest headaches involving rail lines in L.A. is having to potentially get on two different trains to get to another part of downtown. Now, Metro is one step closer to making a downtown rail map that actually makes sense.

Today, they announced a $669 million grant plus a $160 million loan from the feds that will be put toward building an underground train through DTLA, connecting the Gold Line at the Little Tokyo station to the 7th/Metro Center station, where the Red, Purple, Blue and Expo lines meet. Metro approved of the connector in 2012, and will include three new stations in downtown: 1st/Central, 2nd/Broadway and 2nd/Hope.

The loan is part of Metro's America Fast Forward initiative, KPCC reports. Both the grant and the loan pave the way for construction to begin later this year, Metro says. You'll have to wait a little longer for things to get better, though: the project won't be completed until 2020. But once it's done, headaches will surely be alleviated throughout the city.

Senator Dianne Feinstein and Mayor Eric Garcetti were on hand during a press conference today to celebrate the government's help in making downtown a more interconnected area.

Read More: Source

[compobus fan]

^{The proposed layout of the new downtown regional connector.}

 

One of the biggest headaches involving rail lines in L.A. is having to potentially get on two different trains to get to another part of downtown. Now, Metro is one step closer to making a downtown rail map that actually makes sense.

 

Today, they announced a $669 million grant plus a $160 million loan from the feds that will be put toward building an underground train through DTLA, connecting the Gold Line at the Little Tokyo station to the 7th/Metro Center station, where the Red, Purple, Blue and Expo lines meet. Metro approved of the connector in 2012, and will include three new stations in downtown: 1st/Central, 2nd/Broadway and 2nd/Hope.

 

The loan is part of Metro's America Fast Forward initiative, KPCC reports. Both the grant and the loan pave the way for construction to begin later this year, Metro says. You'll have to wait a little longer for things to get better, though: the project won't be completed until 2020. But once it's done, headaches will surely be alleviated throughout the city.

 

Senator Dianne Feinstein and Mayor Eric Garcetti were on hand during a press conference today to celebrate the government's help in making downtown a more interconnected area.

 

Read More: Source

Much needed for sure, hopefully the money will not get derailed (no pun) between Northern and Southern Cal !

[RookiePhenom]

Much needed for sure, hopefully the money will not get derailed (no pun) between Northern and Southern Cal !

 

This project is so necessary (transferring twice is a pain --from experience), but it looks like the HSR project might take a dive.

[yardlet6]

Why didn't they think of this in the first place?

[Turbo19]

Why didn't they think of this in the first place?

It's partially attributed to each rail line being built separately. That and the challenge to connect above ground and underground lines. Funding of course also played a role.