Regional Connector

Public Weighs In On Connector Alternatives

By Eric Richardson — October 16, 2008 — 12 Comments

Regional Connector Update Metro

|Photo Gallery| Public speakers showed strong support for an underground Regional Connector today after hearing Metro staff present options for the project. Several raised the specter of an auto accident taking out the entire regional light rail system in the case of an above-ground build.

The update, held in the Central Library's Board Room, drew a full house. Two alternatives -- one subway, one above-ground -- were presented for the Regional Connector, which would tie together all of Metro's light rail lines. — Continued Inside...


Metro to Hold Another Round of Connector Meetings

By Eric Richardson — October 14, 2008
17 Comments

2nd Street with Regional Connector

On Thursday Metro will hold the first of two meetings to update the public on the status of the Regional Connector, a project that would tie together the region's light rail lines while passing through Downtown. The Alternatives Analysis will present two options for the route, one above-ground and one below it.


Renders Show Reimagined 1st & Alameda

By Eric Richardson — May 19, 2008 — 20 Comments

1st & Alameda Render Metro

|Photo Gallery| Renderings presented by Metro at recent meetings show potentially huge changes for the corner of 1st & Alameda. Three layers of action could see north-south traffic bypassing the intersection from below, while fanciful elevated sidewalks would send pedestrians above the cars and trains below.

The renders are part of Metro's Alternatives Analysis study for the Regional Connector project. Metro has been working on options for connecting the potentially below-grade Connector with the above-grade Gold Line Eastside Extension, currently finishing construction. — Continued Inside...


Regional Connector Down to Two Alternatives

By Eric Richardson — May 07, 2008 — 57 Comments

2nd Street with Regional Connector Metro

Planning for the Regional Connector is down to two preferred alternatives, one above ground and one below. Costs for the two differ by only $150 million.

At a meeting of the Bringing Back Broadway Streetcar Committee this afternoon, Metro staff presented the Connector project, intended to link the Blue and Expo light rail lines with the two parts of the Gold Line. At peak times, 48 trains per hour will use the Connector.

The cost difference between the two was much narrower than many had expected. The above-ground Connector estimates came in at $650 million, with a subway alternative at $800 million. — Continued Inside...


Tonight: Talk Regional Connector with DLANC

By Eric Richardson — March 24, 2008
2 Comments

Regional Connection 2

As I mentioned on Friday, Metro will be coming to a meeting of DLANC's Transportation committee this evening to discuss the Regional Connector. This is an important project for Downtown, both in its potential benefits and in the way it could harm the neighborhood if done poorly. The meeting is at 6:30pm, at the LATC (514 S. Spring).


Metro Says Welcome to the New Second Street

By Eric Richardson — February 27, 2008
29 Comments

2nd Street with Regional Connector

This image from Metro's Tuesday night presentation shows the transit agency's rendering of what 2nd street would look like with at-grade rail operation. Pictured is 2nd approaching Main street. The new LAPD headquarters is at left, with the Higgins building on the right. Auto traffic would be reduced to one 11-foot lane for local access. At the meeting,...


Comments Clear on Connector Route Alternatives: Go Underground

By Eric Richardson — February 26, 2008
32 Comments

Regional Connection 2

Of the eight "Build Alternatives" presented at tonight's public meeting on the proposed Regional Connector, five would run trains through Downtown on surface streets, with all but one of those removing auto traffic from 2nd street and converting it to "transit dedication." After the presentation, the message delivered by stakeholders was clear: at-grade alignments...


Regional Connector Debate Ready for Round 2

By Eric Richardson — February 21, 2008
43 Comments

Connector routing as art: a sketch by former LADOT Assistant GM James Okazaki. Next week Metro is holding a pair of meetings on the Regional Connector, a project designed to create through-trips for the agency's light rail lines. Unlike November's meetings, which were just about taking opinions, with no feedback or Q&A, this time Metro has some possible...


Another Chance to Talk Downtown Connector

By Eric Richardson — November 13, 2007
66 Comments

Tonight Downtowners get another chance to talk about Metro's proposed Regional Connector. Metro will be attending tonight's DLANC Board meeting to give a special presentation, scheduled for 7:15pm at the Palace Theater on Broadway. Though they were devoid of Q&A, last week's scoping meetings did turn out a variety of interesting public comment. MetroRiderLA...


Talk Connector Rail with Metro; Tomorrow and Wednesday

By Eric Richardson — November 05, 2007
18 Comments

This week Metro is hosting two community meetings to gauge interest and opinion in the light rail Downtown / Regional Connector, a project intended to bridge the gap between the Gold Line and Blue / Expo lines. As you can see from the project map to the right, they don't exactly have a plan together yet. The Connector is a highly important project for three...