Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project Little Tokyo Working - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project Little Tokyo Working Group

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 Japanese American National Museum

Why are we here?

• Continue the dialogue between Metro and the Little

Tokyo community

• Continue to be transparent as the project progresses
• Discuss issues specific to the Little Tokyo Community as
• ne of three remaining Japantowns in the nation
• Further inform the community about decision points and

the process for this phase

• Continue to be respectful, courteous and understanding
• f each other’s views

Continue the dialogue between Metro and the Little

• Goals of Today’s Meeting
• Project Study History
• Project Study Process
• Overview of Alternatives
• Overview of Conceptual Construction
• Overview of Potential Mitigations
• Q&A
• Next Steps

Agenda

• Metro is committed to working with the Little Tokyo

Community in developing a project which ensures the preservation and respect for the Little Tokyo community

• Progress on the development of the project’s vision and

benefit’s for Little Tokyo

• Identify the project benefits and impacts to the Little

Tokyo community both long term and short term

• Continue to identify proposed mitigations both during

construction and as part of operation

Goals of Today’s Meeting

Regional Connector Overview

• Little Tokyo would be

served by one station (the existing Little Tokyo/Arts District Station)

• Trains to the Eastside

and Pasadena only

• Transfers required to

reach the rest of the Metro Rail system

Direct Rail Service to Little Tokyo Area

Without the Regional Connector

• Little Tokyo would be

served by two stations:

• A new proposed

station

• Existing Little

Tokyo/Arts District Station

• Little Tokyo would have

direct trains to Pasadena, the Eastside, Culver City, and Long Beach

• Little Tokyo would be

accessible by light rail from the entire region

Direct Rail Service to Little Tokyo Area

With the Regional Connector

• Economic
• Improved access
• Transit reliability
• Cost savings
• Time savings
• Security
• Permanent neighborhood identity
• Increased regional visibility of Little Tokyo

Benefits of the Regional Connector Benefits of the Regional Connector

Alternatives Analysis Process

Initiated July 2007 - Completed January 2009

• Nearly 360 people attended scoping meetings and 2 additional rounds
• f public meetings in Nov. 07, Feb. 08 and Oct. 08
• In addition to targeted outreach to key stakeholders such as the Little

Tokyo Community Council and Historic Core Bid

Ongoing Community Outreach and Meetings

• Established during Alternatives Analysis Phase
• Discussed issues related to Little Tokyo and

concerns about 1st & Alameda

• Developed current concept for 1st & Alameda
• Reported results to Little Tokyo community to the

Little Tokyo Community Council and other stakeholders

• Incorporated results into the two build alternatives

Little Tokyo Ad-hoc Advisory Committee

• f the Little Tokyo Community Council

in the environmental process.

Project Development Process

Environmental Review Process

• No Build
• Transportation Systems Management

(TSM)

• At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative
• Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Alternatives Under Evaluation

No Build Alternative

TSM Alternative

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Temple St Temple St A l a m e d a S t A l a m e d a S t

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Temple and Alameda (Proposed)

VA Outpatient Clinic Federal Building Department of Water and Power

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Temple and Los Angeles and Main Streets (Proposed)

Los Angeles Mall

Los Angeles St Los Angeles St Main St Main St

City Hall East City Hall

Temple St Temple St

City Hall

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Main Street between 1st and Temple Streets (Proposed)

City Hall East City Hall East

M a i n S t M a i n S t

City Hall South

and Temple Streets (Proposed)

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

2nd Street West of Los Angeles Street (Proposed)

Caltrans

L

• s

A n g e l e s S t L

• s

A n g e l e s S t

Kyoto Grand Hotel

2 2nd

nd St

St

Higgins Vibiana Caltrans

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

2nd Street West of Broadway (Proposed)

LA Times

2 2

n d n d

St St Broadway Broadway

Planned Federal Courthouse Planned Federal

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

2nd Street West of Los Angeles Street (Proposed)

13’ 11’ 12’ 14’ 8’6” 7’ 13’ 78.6’’

Higgins LAPD Caltrans

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

1st St 1st St

Savoy Japanese American National Museum

Central Ave Central Ave A l a m e d a S t A l a m e d a S t

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

1st and Alameda Streets (Existing)

Office Depot

2 2nd

nd Street

Street Alameda St Alameda St t t t t t

1st St 1st St

Savoy Japanese American National Museum

Central Ave Central Ave A l a m e d a S t A l a m e d a S t

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

1st and Alameda Streets (Proposed) 2 2nd

nd Street

Street

Potential surface Potential surface parking lot parking lot Potential surface Potential surface parking lot parking lot

Alameda St Alameda St

1st St 1st St

Savoy Japanese American National Museum

Central Ave Central Ave A l a m e d a S t A l a m e d a S t

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

1st and Alameda Streets (Proposed) 2 2nd

nd Street

Street

Planned Nikkei Center

Alameda St Alameda St

1st St 1st St

Savoy Japanese American National Museum

Central Ave Central Ave A l a m e d a S t A l a m e d a S t

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

1st and Alameda Streets (Proposed) 2 2nd

nd Street

Street

Planned Nikkei Center

Alameda St Alameda St

Central Ave Central Ave 1st St 1st St A l a m e d a S t A l a m e d a S t

Savoy Japanese American National Museum

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

1st and Alameda Streets (Proposed) 2 2nd

nd Street

Street Potential for Development Potential for Development

Planned Nikkei Center

Alameda St Alameda St t t t t t

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

2nd Street (Proposed)

Higgins Little Tokyo Library Vibiana Caltrans

8’6” 12’ 12’ 12’ 16’ 18’ 42’

Caltrans

Metro Experience with Developments

Hollywood/Vine Hollywood/Vine Hollywood/Western Hollywood/Western Hollywood/Highland Hollywood/Highland Wilshire/Western Wilshire/Western

Others: Others: Wilshire/Vermont Wilshire/Vermont Del Mar Del Mar Memorial Park Memorial Park Misson Misson

Metro Experience with Developments

Benefits of the Regional Connector

• Economic Benefit
• 5,700 daily boardings at stations (riders dine, shop and explore)
• Property value increase/new jobs created with local hire
• Improved access
• LRT (rail) Alternatives provides region direct access to and from Little Tokyo
• One train equals the capacity of five 60-foot buses
• Transit reliability
• Buses and at-grade are subject to increased traffic congestion
• Cost savings
• Reduced transfers mean reduced cost to riders (each transfer =$1.25)
• Travel time savings
• Travel times savings from 12 – 20 minutes from Union Station
• Security
• Additional security at station area, not just on the train or bus
• Permanent neighborhood identity
• Integrated design and art around station and portal

Benefits of the Regional Connector

(riders dine, shop and explore) bs created with local hire

Construction Overview

• During Draft EIS/EIR
• Identify how project will be constructed and its impacts

Tunnel & Station construction processes Construction staging and soil removal locations Materials hauling routes & other traffic considerations Safety, air, noise, vibration an other impacts Identify mitigations

• Final EIS/EIR
• Respond to comments
• Certify EIS/EIR and adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Plan
• Factors in making construction decisions
• Engineering/Technical
• Cost
• Timing
• Community Input

Identifying Construction Impacts

constructed and its impacts

Construction staging and soil removal locations

Identifying Construction Impacts

Typical Construction Methods

At-Grade

Trackway construction Colorized concrete 3rd Street at-grade operation Overhead Catenary Pole Installation

Typical Construction Methods

Portal and Underpass

Portal and underpass construction similar but wider for underpass

Typical Underground Construction Methods

Cut and Cover for Stations and Portal

Finished Deck Excavation takes place under deck Opening for access to underground construction

Typical Underground Construction Methods

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for Excavating Tunnels

Finished Tunnel Eastside Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) TBM Entering station area Station before TBM arrival

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Methods

Trackway on Temple/Main/Los Angeles/2nd

• Utility Relocation
• At-grade construction in street between

concrete barrier

• Excavate to depth of concrete trackway
• Place rail and concrete trackway
• Install foundation for catenary poles
• Install overhead catenary poles and wiring

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

1st Street trackway excavation 1st Street rail line installation 1st Street trackway, poles and wiring

• Construction of platforms, canopies and walkways at stations
• n Los Angeles and Main Streets takes up to three lanes of

traffic and sidewalk space

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo Arts District station Eastside Gold Line East LA Civic Center Station

pies and walkways at stations

• n Los Angeles and Main Streets takes up to three lanes of

Underpass

• Utility Relocation
• Underpass requires installation of

soldier piles along sides to support walls

• Excavation of Alameda to depth
• f underpass
• Construct retaining walls and

supporting structures

• Maintain some traffic flow while

under construction

• Pedestrian Bridge

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Underpass construction is similar to portal but wider

• Utility Relocation

3-6 months

• Underpass

2 years

• Trackway/Stations

2 years TOTAL DURATION: APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS

At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

Potential Construction Timing Greater level of construction activity – exact sequencing and phase to be determined upon further analysis and community input

3-6 months

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Methods

Construction Staging Underpass and Ped Bridge Portal & Tunnel Excavation Portal Construction

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

1

st

S t r e e t 1st Street JANM Proposed Nikkei Development Alameda Street 2nd Street Central Avenue

2nd Street Station at Broadway and Spring

Proposed Concepts

Street Station at Broadway and Spring

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Station, Underpass & Portal Construction

• Clear construction

staging site

• Relocate utilities (2nd

Street Storm Drain)

• Install soldier piles
• Excavate 12-15’ of soil
• Concrete decking is

placed to restore street

• Construction continues

below

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Station, Portal and Tunnel Excavation

• Install shoring and excavate area to depth of station or portal
• Lower TBMs and excavate two parallel tunnels

TBM below

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Traffic flow above Material hauled out from Within staging area Staging Area

Tunnel Construction

• Tunnel and install pre-

cast concrete tunnels lining with gaskets

• After excavation is

complete install rails, electrical and other mechanical systems

• All occurring

underground

Cross-section of tunnel liner segments

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Station Construction

• Install station elements and

architectural features

• Removed decking, repave

street & re-open to traffic

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Repave and restored street in Boyle Heights Soto Station Mezzanine Soto Station Platform

Underpass

• Utility Relocation
• Underpass requires installation of

soldier piles along sides to support walls

• Excavation of Alameda to depth
• f underpass
• Construct retaining walls and

supporting structures

• Maintain some traffic flow while

under construction

• Pedestrian Bridge

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Construction Activities within Little Tokyo

Same as underpass construction for At-grade Emphasis LRT Alternative

• Utility Relocation

3 months

• Drilling soldier piles

1-2 months

• Installing decking

1-3 months

• Tunnel/station/portal

2 years

• Underpass

1 year

• Remove decking & restore street

2-4 months

TOTAL DURATION: APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS

Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative

Potential Construction Timing in Little Tokyo

Durations can be reduced by overlapping

• r intensifying activities with input from community

Off Street or beneath street

Metro Design – Portal Examples

Metro Gold Line: Del Mar Station

Gold Line portal under Colorado Blvd. Gold Line portal under Colorado Blvd. Gold Line portal under Colorado Blvd.

Metro Development – Portal Examples

Metro Gold Line: Del Mar Station

Development around portal on Metro Gold Line Del Mar Station

Portal Examples

Metro Design – At-Grade Examples

Metro Gold Line: Mission Station

Mission Station in South Pasadena next to Farmers Market Mission Station in South Pasadena

At-Grade Examples

Metro Design – Grade Crossing Examples

Metro Gold Line: Mission St and Meridian Ave, South Pasadena

Similar track configuration

Grade Crossing Examples

Metro Gold Line: Mission St and Meridian Ave, South Pasadena

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Metro Support Programs

• Communications
• Safety Education & Outreach
• Construction Impact Mitigation, Stakeholder

Communication and Public Outreach

• Web Development
• Media Relations
• Fact Sheets
• Maps
• Newspaper Ads
• Display Boards
• Construction Site Signage
• Direct Mail Meeting Invitations

Communications

Example Materials

• Construction Safety Outreach
• Rail Operations Safety Outreach
• Schools, Community Centers,

Churches, Neighborhood Groups, Libraries, etc.

• Safety Orientation Tours
• Metro Experience Mobile Theatre
• Rail Safety Ambassador Program

Safety Education and Outreach

Rail Operations Safety Outreach

• Construction Activities Coordination
• Community Support
• Construction Impact Mitigation
• Field Reports
• Monitor Mitigation Measures
• Construction Notices
• Project Promotion
• Stakeholders Communication

Construction Impact Mitigation Program

Construction Activities Coordination

Construction Impact Mitigation Program

Sample Materials

Concerns about:

• Traffic and parking
• Affects on businesses
• Property acquisition issues
• Environmental concerns such as noise, vibration, visual affects
• Driveway and access issues
• Safety
• Physically dividing a

community

• Preserving Little Tokyo

What have we heard?

• Refine the designs
• Develop with the community specific actions and

potential mitigation measures to be included in the Draft EIS/EIR

• Develop and adopt a Mitigation Monitoring Plan,

listing and commits to mitigation measures, specifying the reason for the measure, the timing, the partners in implementing the measure and the method of monitoring for every mitigation measure

How do we act on your input?

Develop with the community specific actions and

During Construction

• Valet parking for businesses
• Lease spaces from underutilized lots
• Shuttle services
• Provide space on Metro property as

part of staged construction After Construction

• Purchase additional land
• Partner on developments with City or

developer for added parking spaces

Potential Mitigation for Parking

• Support community events

such as Nisei week

• Contract with local businesses
• Sponsor local entertainment
• Provide promotional menus
• Provide high quality

advertising

• Advertise in local newspapers
• Promote local services to

public agencies

• Support farmers markets

Potential Mitigation for Businesses Potential Mitigation for Businesses

• Minimize number of

acquisitions

• Joint development opportunity
• Required to meet all Federal,

State and local laws related to relocation assistance and property acquisition

Mitigation for Acquisition and Displacement Mitigation for Acquisition and Displacement

• Sound walls decorated by local

artists at staging sites

• Use of noise control devices
• Use of electric vs. diesel power
• Hours of construction
• Hauling Routes
• Street Cleaning

Potential Mitigation During Construction Potential Mitigation During Construction

• Community presence program
• Support local arts programs
• Support documentation of neighborhood

history

Potential Mitigation to Preserve Community

• Influence of station, portal,

bridge, underpass and urban design

• Development oriented design
• Maintain access to driveways

& loading docks

• Auto traffic movements
• Pedestrian paths
• Landscaping
• Crosswalk design

Potential Mitigation Through Design Potential Mitigation Through Design

• Regularly scheduled meetings with stakeholders
• Conduct special meetings as necessary
• Issue updates through electronic communication
• Weekly progress meetings in the community

during construction

• Construction phase includes an outreach team in

the field daily available 24/7 as needed

Accountability

Regularly scheduled meetings with stakeholders Issue updates through electronic communication

Benefits of the Regional Connector

• Economic development
• Improved access
• Transit reliability
• Cost savings
• Time savings
• Security
• Permanent neighborhood identity

Minimize short term impacts during construction so that Little Tokyo can experience the long term benefits.

Benefits of the Regional Connector

Minimize short term impacts during construction so that

• On Construction?
• On Design
• On Mitigations?
• From Businesses?
• From Residents?
• From Property owners?
• For Outreach?

Comments and Questions

• Next Little Tokyo Working Group Meeting (Fall 2009)
• Ongoing Stakeholder Meetings
• Community Update Meetings (Nov 2009)

Next Steps

Community Update Meetings (Nov 2009)

Website: www.metro.net/regionalconnector E-Mail: regionalconnector@metro.net Write to: Dolores Roybal Saltarelli, Project Manager Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority One Gateway Plaza, MS 99-22-2 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Contact Us