LA Metro’s Regional Connector Transit Project is nearing completion, and with it a shift in how transit is becoming less DTLA-orientated and more spread out across Los Angeles County. EnviroMetro got a tour of the project and saw firsthand how it will reshape transit in LA. With these new lines, LA Metro can now offer residents across the city and county an easy way towards getting around the city without having to drive. This will be very beneficial especially as we can allow commuters to get to recreation areas or their jobs in LA with little to no time on the road.
New rail lines and stations are being built so that the Blue, Expo, Red, Purple, and Gold Lines will now all reach DTLA at the 7th Street/Metro Center Station and will connect to LA Union Station, where passengers can easily transfer to cities across LA County. With these new lines, commuters heading into LA from places like Azusa, Long Beach, Santa Monica, or within the city from places like the Arts District or Bunker Hill, can now all reach DTLA without having to transfer or wait long periods of time to get there. With the new lines, experts are predicting that they will serve 88,000 riders daily and cut 20 minutes off commute times. Plus, the new stations being built in Little Tokyo/Arts District, Historic Broadway, and Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill will help attract new riders thanks to their new modern and sleek look.
With the completion of all the track work and guideway systems, testing for rail operations will be happening soon, as the opening of the rail lines will most likely happen sometime later this year. Thus, be prepared to see a revolution in light rail across Los Angeles that focuses less on DTLA and more on Los Angeles as a whole.
