Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Grinding the Gold Line
Photo by Jose Ubaldo/Metro. Used with permission
If you see activity during the workweek taking place on the Gold Line's Eastside Extension tracks it's because Metro Rail has begun the process of "grinding the rails." Using a machine that moves at about 2.5 to 3 miles and hour, workers are making their way down the six mile stretch along Third Street in East Los Angeles. They began at Atlantic Boulevard and Pomona Street and will move westbound along Third Street until Indiana Avenue and end up at Lorena and First streets at the East Portal tunnel entrance.
According to a media release, "the grinding removes oxidation on the rails to make sure the train wheels and the rail make proper contact and safety features work properly on the new light rail line, which is scheduled to open in summer 2009." You'll see the grinding taking place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension will have a total of eight stations (two underground), and runs from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles via the Arts District/Little Tokyo and Boyle Heights to Atlantic/Pomona Boulevards in East Los Angeles.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
