Regional Connector in Little Tokyo

what is the Regional Connector?

This proposed two-mile rail system would link the Metro Gold Line, Blue Line and future Expo Line in Downtown Los Angeles. It would be located kitty corner from the Gold Line station on the corner of 1st St. and Alameda St., south of the Japanese American National Museum. With three stations in Downtown, the Regional Connector will allow passengers to travel throughout the area without transferring. Construction is estimated to last up to four years.

Fully underground route preferred by the Little Tokyo community. Dark grey indicates location of Regional Connector station, light grey indicates Little Tokyo area, and green indicates where underground rail lines would surface to street level. Photo courtesy of Metro.

acronyms and terms to know
options proposed by Metro
Little Tokyo community priorities

the basics

blue line, downtown los angeles, gold line, japanese american national museum, regional connector

June 30, 2010

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acronyms and terms to know

DTRC: Downtown Regional Connector
MTA: Metropolitan Transportation Authority
TSM: Traffic Systems Management – Regional Connector alternative consisting of only buses and shuttles
At-Grade: above ground
Below-Grade: underground; similar to a subway
Mitigations: methods for reducing project impacts on a community
EIR/S: Environmental Impact Review/Study – a document released by Metro that will discuss the various impacts of construction and operation of the Regional Connector on business, landscape, traffic
LPA: Locally Preferred Alternative – option that the Metro Board of Directors votes on as being most favored by the community
LTCC: Little Tokyo Community Council – an organization of more than 90 businesses, nonprofit community-based organizations, religious, educational and resident associations
LTWG: Little Tokyo Working Group – body created to open communication between Metro and the Little Tokyo community; attendees include Chris Aihara, Kei Nagao, Alan Nishio, and Evelyn Yoshimura

what is the Regional Connector?
options proposed by Metro
Little Tokyo community priorities

the basics

at-grade, below-grade, board of directors, dtrc, eir, little tokyo community council, locally preferred alternative, lpa, ltcc, ltwg, metropolitan transportation authority, mitigations, mta, regional connector, traffic systems management, tsm, working group

June 30, 2010

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options proposed by Metro

1. No Build
– Metro is obligated to include this option- extremely unlikely

2. Traffic Systems Management
     – No track
     – Buses would shuttle from 7th St. to Union Station
     – $63 million construction cost and $13.6 million operating cost
     – Metro is obligated to include this option – extremely unlikely

3. At-Grade Emphasis
     – Both track and station above ground
     – Track runs along Los Angeles St., Main St., and Temple St.
     – $796 million construction cost and $9.8 million operating cost
     – Issues: very dangerous; 90 degree turns difficult for trains to make (Click here for more.)

4. Underground Emphasis
     – Track runs under 2nd St.
     – Rises at 1st St. and Alameda St. for an above-ground station
     – $910 million construction cost and $5.2 million operating cost
     – Issues: traffic congestion; impact on small businesses (Click here for more.)

5. Fully Underground Alternative
     – Both station and track are underground
     – Approved in February 2010 by Metro for further exploration
     – $1.1 billion construction cost
     – This option is most favored by LTCC

Although the LTCC is not opposed to the rail, options three and four were deemed unacceptable because of the potential impact on local businesses, safety, tourism, and everyday life in Little Tokyo.

what is the Regional Connector?
acronyms and terms to know
Little Tokyo community priorities

the basics

at-grade, businesses, construction, cost, fully underground, little tokyo, los angeles, lpa, main, metro, operating, regional connector, shuttle, station, temple, traffic, traffic systems management, union station