Roads & Rails

Friday: Labor March Could Bring Afternoon Disruptions

By Eric Richardson — April 23, 2009
7 Comments

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Those whose afternoon path runs through Bunker Hill should be aware that the Communications Workers of America are planning a march on Friday afternoon that will be capped by a protest outside the AT&T offices at 433 S. Olive. The union, which represents 125,000 AT&T employees nationally, is in the midst of national contract talks with the communications...


Filming and Baisakhi Parade Highlight Weekend Traffic Closures

By Eric Richardson — April 10, 2009
2 Comments

Backup from Filming

Those looking to drive around Downtown this weekend should take note of a trio of events that look to make this process just a little more adventurous. Two film shoots close off streets in the Historic Core and Civic Center, while Sunday a parade makes its way through South Park.


Pair of Events Will Make Saturday Morning Traffic an Adventure

By Eric Richardson — April 03, 2009

Traffic on 6th

A 5k run/walk sponsored by the L.A. Kings and an immigrant rights march will intersect to make for an interesting morning for those trying to drive Downtown on Saturday.


New Round of Regional Connector Input Meetings Kick Off Monday

By Eric Richardson — March 27, 2009
4 Comments

Regional Connector Render: 2nd Street Looking West

A new round of Regional Connector input meetings will kick off Monday, soliciting input on what should be considered in the project's environmental documents. The project, which would connect the light rail lines entering 7th / Metro station to the Gold Line in Little Tokyo, was officially approved by the Metro board in January.


Mayor Appoints Downtown Councilman to Metro Board

By Eric Richardson — March 26, 2009 — 1 Comment

Metro Board Appointments Eric Richardson

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today appointed Councilman Jose Huizar to Metro's Board of Directors, giving Huizar a powerful platform to push for transportation improvements on Broadway and advocate for the Downtown streetcar.

"I think it's a tremendous boost for the streetcar," Huizar said this morning when asked how the appointment would affect his favorite project. "It helps to think about how the streetcar relates to other transportation systems in the Downtown area, particularly the Connector." — Continued Inside...


Call List Gives a View of Potential Downtown Transportation Projects

By Eric Richardson — March 24, 2009 — 8 Comments

With Traffic Eric Richardson

Every two years, Metro holds a competition for transportation funds known as the Call for Projects. Cities around the county try to make the case that their projects are worthy of funding. The submission date for the 2009 call is nearing, and tomorrow the City's Department of Transportation will present its priority list to the Council's Transportation committee.

None of the projects on the list are sure things -- the city doesn't even know how much money there is to compete for -- but the included items give a useful view into what is being thought about inside city offices. — Continued Inside...


As Season Nears, Chances of Dodger Trolley Service Slim

By Eric Richardson — March 12, 2009
22 Comments

Dodger Trolley

When fans fill Dodger Stadium for the team's home opener on April 13, chances are minimal that they will be doing so via the Dodger Trolley. The city's efforts to find a sponsor for the shuttle service to Union Station have come up empty, and the team has offered little help in that effort.


Metro's "Silver Line" Buses Would Consolidate Operations Through Downtown

By Eric Richardson — March 11, 2009 — 11 Comments

Proposed Silver Line Route through Downtown Metro

A new proposal by Metro would consolidate five routes that terminate Downtown into a single line operating across the Central City between the Harbor Transitway and the El Monte Busway. The "Silver Line," as Metro's calling the busway proposal, would run from the Artesia Transit Center in South L.A. to El Monte.

The transit agency and LADOT have long sought to connect the two transit corridors, first considering a massive construction project before deciding instead to focus on creating a surface connection through Downtown. As part of the service changes, LADOT will be working with Metro to improve bus lanes and transit facilities. — Continued Inside...


Just Like Our Traffic, L.A.'s Freeway Conditions are the State's Worst

By Eric Richardson — February 25, 2009 — 4 Comments

110 Freeway Eric Richardson

California's state highway system covers over 50,000 lane miles, but Los Angeles County's share is in worse shape than anyone else's. Of Caltrans' twelve districts, Los Angeles' District 7 scores worst in landscaping, litter and graffiti.

The state transportation agency delivered those numbers to the City in response to a motion by Councilwoman Jan Perry asking the deteriorating condition of Los Angeles' freeways. — Continued Inside...


Due to Budget Woes, DASH to Eliminate Free Transfers

By Eric Richardson — February 03, 2009
2 Comments

City Hall Shuttle

The City's ongoing budget issues have claimed another victim: free DASH transfers. As early as March 1, riders will no longer be able to board one Downtown DASH line for $0.25 and get a paper transfer to another bus. LADOT expects the move to save the department approximately $130,000 per year.