At a Metro Regional Connector update held Thursday at the Central Library, two alternatives that would link all of Metro’s light rail lines to each other were introduced to the public. The proposals for an above-ground line, or the more popular subway, would start north on Flower Street before heading east through Little Tokyo along Second street, according to blogdowntown, a downtown-centric website often covers public transportation issues.
It's reported that the above-ground proposal would emerge a train from the Blue Line near Fifth across Third, then enter at the Second street tunnel to travel east, emerging at Hill. In the Historic Core, the line would split with one train traveling on Main, the other on Los Angeles, then share Temple before joining with the Gold Line Extension at Temple and Alameda, currently under construction.
The subway version would move north on Flower with an underground station around Fifth street, then curve toward the east under Second street, with a station at Bunker Hill and another near Broadway or Los Angeles. The line would come to street level in Little Tokyo on the lot currently occupied by an Office Depot.
While the costs for a subway line would be significantly more than an above-ground line, it’s considered that parade and protest marches on a heavily used Broadway would cause commuting delays. Also a concern are possible accidents with vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
While the above-ground proposal has an estimated cost from $709 - $796 million, the subway can run up to $910 million, according to Metro.
Those who work during the day and who interested in seeing the proposals can attend the same presentation. The second meeting with be held at The Japanese American National Museum (369 E. 1st) on Tuesday, October 21, at 6:30pm.
