General LA
The Long-Awaited Metro Regional Connector Opens June 16
Metro announced that the long-awaited Regional Connector transit project will open to the public on June 16. Construction began in 2013 for the project, which includes 1.9 miles of track to allow light rail trains to travel between Union Station and the busy 7th Street/Metro Center Station in Downtown’s Financial District. Some customers riding to and through downtown Los Angeles could save up to 20 minutes by eliminating the need to transfer. The project also includes three new stations.
Results of LA Study Into Congestion Pricing Due This Summer
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected by the summer to release a long-awaited study that will offer a blueprint for a congestion pricing scheme similar to ones in cities such as London, Stockholm and Singapore, where commuters pay to drive in city centers.
Metro is considering three locations for a possible test program: a nearly 16-mile stretch of the 10 Freeway between downtown and Santa Monica, arterial streets and freeways around downtown and the canyon streets and freeways that connect the San Fernando Valley to the L.A. Basin.
Glendale-Hyperion Bridge Scheduled For Overhaul, Includes Bike Lanes
The Glendale-Hyperion Bridge is scheduled for an overhaul with construction starting in Winter. The projected cost of the project now stands at $80 million. Construction includes:
A seismic retrofit
Widening the bridge for walking, ADA accessibility, and bike lanes on either side
Connections to the LA RiverWay walking and biking path
Restoration and preservation of historic elements
Stormwater capture
An infiltration basin to protect river water quality
Realignment of the I-5 northbound off-ramp for east and west travel along Glendale Boulevard
Antelope Valley
Service Resumes For Summer Beach Bus From AV To Santa Monica Beach
Los Angeles County’s summer Beach Bus between the Antelope Valley and Santa Monica Beach has resumed service on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays for the summer and will continue through Labor Day. The bus costs $6 for adults and $2 for children. Buses depart from Walt Troth Drive/City Park Drive at Sgt. Steve Owen Park, 43063 10th St. West, at 8:30 a.m., and from the Antelope Valley Transit Authority bus stop zone at Palmdale Transportation Center, 39000 Clock Tower Drive, at 9 a.m. Buses are scheduled to arrive at Santa Monica Beach near the Santa Monica Pier at 10:50 a.m. Buses depart from Santa Monica Beach’s pier parking lot at 3:30 p.m. Buses are scheduled to arrive at the Palmdale Transportation Center at 5:25 p.m. and at Sgt. Steve Owen Park at 5:40 p.m.
San Gabriel Valley
Pasadena Transit Ridership Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels
Pasadena Transit ridership remained strong in the 2022 fiscal year, with 1.1 million riderships, about 90% of pre-pandemic levels. Pasadena Dial-A-Ride ridership has also been recovering, with over 44,000 rides taken in fiscal year 2022.
South Bay Cities
Caltrans Seeks Public Input Ahead Of Vincent Thomas Bridge Makeover
The Vincent Thomas Bridge was built in 1963 and spans more than 6,000 feet. The bridge’s deck has been worn to the point of replacing due to the heavy weight of an average of 44,500 vehicles traveling over the bridge per day, and 11% of those are heavy trucks. Caltrans officials are seeking input from surrounding communities on proposed construction in 2025, because it will impact travel along State Route 47 and on nearby roadways.
Westside
Westwood Village Improvement Association obtains permit for Broxton Plaza Project
The Westwood Village Improvement Association received permits from the city of Los Angeles to implement the Broxton Plaza Project, a plan to transform part of Broxton Avenue into a pedestrian-only walkway by summer. The pedestrian-only area will be between Weyburn and Kinross avenues in Westwood.