Gold Line Extension Opens Nov. 15
Ridership is expected to grow reaching 13,000 average weekday passengers
By SCOTT WEBER
Updated 12:45 PM PST, Mon, Oct 26, 2009
Transportation officials announced the Metro Gold Line Eastside will open Nov. 15 extending the line from Union Station to East LA's Atlantic Boulevard.
The $898-million, six mile long extension took five years to complete. It features eight new stations, two of them underground at Soto and Mariachi Plaza, and 1.7 miles of underground track.
The extension links the existing Metro Gold Line to Pasadena with Little Tokyo and the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles, before traveling east along 1st Street through Boyle Heights to East Los Angeles.
Ridership is expected to grow reaching 13,000 average weekday passengers by the end of the first year of operation.
The Gold Line "is going to greatly benefit the community by linking it with schools, hospitals, shopping and business opportunities throughout the county," Ara Najarian, chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, said in a statement.
L.A. County Supervisor and Metro board member Gloria Molina, said during a board meeting last week that the line is needed on the Eastside but was worried it may be “substandard.” She said she still has concerns about safety according to the LA Times.
Metro will offer free rides on the entire Gold Line during the Nov 15 opening day.
Copyright City News Service
First Published: Oct 26, 2009 12:34 PM PST
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