With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
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.
The Expo Line Will Open In Santa Monica On May 20th
Its official. The Expo Line to Santa Monica will be opening on Friday, May 20th, 2016. You can expect a trip between Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles to take 46 minutes by rail. No stress, no driving, and certainly no 10 freeway.
The happy news was announced around noon on Thursday, at the conclusion of Metro's monthly board meeting. StreetsblogLA and transit reporter Laura Nelson of the L.A. Times were there to report:
Metro press event about to start - Press release distributed says Expo will open Friday May 20
— StreetsblogLA (@StreetsblogLA) February 25, 2016
Just in: The $1.5-billion, 6.6-mile Expo Line extension to Santa Monica will begin passenger service on May 20, per @metrolosangeles.
— Laura J. Nelson 🦅 (@laura_nelson) February 25, 2016
Support for LAist comes from
The Expo Line's completion marks the first time since 1953 a train has connected Los Angeles' Westside to downtown L.A. The extension from Culver City adds seven shiny new rail stations—moving west from the Culver City station are Palms, Westwood/Rancho Park, Expo/Sepulveda, Expo/Bundy, 26th Street/Bergamont, 17th Street/SMC, and Downtown Santa Monica:
Three of the stations—SMC, Bundy, and Sepulveda specifically—were built with large accompanying parking structures. The intention is to encourage folks who might otherwise commute by car from the Westside to downtown (or elsewhere) to skip the traffic-clogged drive and ride the train, maybe reading a book or something, instead.
Regardless, this is a pretty big deal, and represents a significant landmark for Los Angeles' push to develop a comprehensive transit system. While Metro has been busily building train-lines all over the county for the greater part of the past decade, most haven't quite opened up yet. Expo Phase II is one of the first tangible products of Measure R, a sales-tax increase L.A. Voters approved back in 2008 to fund the construction of transit all across L.A. County.
Five large rail projects are simultaneously under construction around L.A. County. Along with the Expo-Line the Gold Line extension to Azuza is very close to opening. Metro's also hard at work extending the Purple Line to Westwood, building the Crenshaw Line to the LAX, and adding the regional connector in downtown L.A.
Bonus picture of an old Pacific Electric Red-Car in Palms, incidentally running along the same alignment the Expo Line was built on:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
Best of LAist