Here’s a thought: Build Expo Phase II First

In a previous post, I made a passing comment about how planning for the Expo specifically and rail transit through the Westside in general has been terribly distorted by a single-minded focus on establishing a rail connection between Santa Monica and Downtown LA. As a result of this tunnel vision, Expo proponents seem to view the route between those two destinations as merely a stretch to pass through as quickly as possible. However, Expo has the potential to serve more than just two destinations and such a limited conception of the line overlooks potential advantages like linking adjacent communities and creating a multi-directional, multi-destination transit network.

In brainstorming alternate alignments for the Westside Regional Connector, I struck upon a radical idea to recast the Expo's role in a future transit system. From the Expo line to the Purple Line to the Crenshaw/Prairie corridor, regional connectivity constantly seems to be an afterthought to Metro's rail proposals (when it is thought of at all). The Downtown Regional Connector is a prime example of this kind of backwards approach. With Fix Expo now lawyering up to argue their case regarding what they believe to be negligent and poor design of the South LA segment, Expo may need to come up with a contingency plan to salvage the project if the court case derails Phase I. So how about if we just start with Phase II in combination with the Pink Line and Westwood Regional Connector? Let’s build the Westside System from the center outward rather than getting bogged down with contentious radials like the South LA segment. Such a strategy would:

1) Allow resources to be devoted to establishing a robust core infrastructure.

2) Establish strong centrality right from the start of the project rather than forcing us to retroactively build it into the system, as is now being done with the Downtown Regional Connector.

3) Prime land in the core for transit-oriented development with maximum connectivity and give a head start to real estate in the core to develop and mature.



4) Build support both from within (i.e. for extension outward from communities directly served by the line) and from without (i.e. for connection into the system from communities not directly served)

5) Reduce traffic by improving first local mobility, then regional mobility once the connection with Downtown has been established.

6) Allow time to review the design, build consensus, and secure any additional funding should it be determined that revisions to the South LA segment are deemed necessary.



Current plans for the Expo place way too much emphasis on connecting Santa Monica and Downtown. A true transit network will need to serve more than just those two destinations and its Westside hub should be Westwood. Perhaps we should build outward from the Westwood core rather than getting bogged down on radial routes like the South LA segment.

Expo Phase II Meeting & the 5-phase Westside System Construction Strategy

I attended the Expo meeting last Thursday. It was very illuminating to hear the challenges involved in the Venice-Sepulveda alignment, though Expo staff were definitely trying to sway opinion against that route. I was beginning to have doubts myself until after the meeting as I tried to figure out a route home. Simply put, aside from the standpoints of costs and ease of construction, the Expo ROW is an inferior route and the Venice-Sepulveda alignment is worth the investment.

Presently, the need for a connection between the Westside and Downtown is distorting the planning for the Expo line. In the absence of the Purple Line, the Expo has been forced to fulfill that transit goal. Consequently, opponents of the Venice-Sepulveda alignment believe it would compromise the regional effectiveness of that connection, slowing it down and diverting it from it route to downtown. I do sympathize with all who express frustration and simply want this line built as quickly and easily as possible. Considering how difficult it has been just to get to this point, I understand how supporters of this line can view any change that raises the cost and complexity as something to strongly resist. However, building an effective transit system is going to require the foresight to look beyond our most immediate needs and anticipate a larger vision for transit. Admittedly, the Expo will initially need to serve as the primary transit connection between Downtown and the Westside. However, what happens when the Purple line takes over for that role? And what about the other transit objectives we need to accomplish, like serving north-south traffic and creating a single transit core for the Westside where all lines converge?

The Venice-Sepulveda alignment has two major advantages over the Expo ROW that justify its greater cost and complexity:

1) Adjacent areas are more appropriate locations for transit service and intensified land usage. Expo staff downplayed the amount of business activity along Venice Blvd, but the scale of commerce along Venice is greatly overshadows the quiet, village-like commercial clusters that line the Expo ROW. Furthermore, there is vastly more empty and under-utilized space for intensified commercial activity along Venice than there is along the Expo ROW. Finally, transit would help Culver City evolve into a much more significant urban center of its own, further feeding the already bustling street life and commercial vitality along Culver Blvd.

2) The infrastructure, while more costly and complex, will be more adaptable and provide more options for future expansion. (a) The Venice segment would establish (along with the Pink line) infrastructure and the alignment that could be later used by a line running from Hollywood to Venice via La Cienega and Venice Blvds. Such a future line (which people are already clamoring for) will be a much easier sell if large parts of it already exist. (b) The Sepulveda segment would orient the Expo towards Westwood. This Westwood orientation is important because although the Expo will initially be connecting Santa Monica to Downtown, if the Purple Line replaces it in that function, the Expo can then be rerouted (sharing the Pink line's infrastructure) up Westwood Blvd to UCLA. The Sepulveda segment could also potentially be used by a line running from the San Fernando Valley down to LAX.

Simply put, the Venice-Sepuveda alignment keeps our options open for future expansion of the system while the Expo ROW simply doesn't. Considering the stop-start nature of transit development in LA, we need to keep our options open even if it is slightly more expensive in the short term. A stitch in time saves nine.

With that, here is my five phase proposal for the construction of the Westside System:

Phase One: Complete Expo line from present Washington/National terminus to Santa Monica via the Venice-Sepulveda alignment.



Phase Two: Build the Pink Line from Hollywood to Santa Monica via Westwood and Pico Blvds.



Phase Three: Extend the Purple Line to Santa Monica via Wilshire.



Phase Four: Reroute the Expo Line to UCLA via Pico and Westwood Blvds.



Phase Five: Construct "Venice-La Cienega" Line using existing infrastructure on Santa Monica Blvd (the Pink Line) and Venice Blvd (the Expo Line).

Westwood Regional Connector: Key to the Westside System

I know, I know. I already said the Expo was the key to the Westside system. My argument is evolving alongside my proposals. Sue me!

Here is the schematic for the Westwood Regional Connector. There are five portals: North, South, West, Northeast, and Southeast. The WRC creates and connects the ROWs for four converging light rail lines (the Purple Line has its own tunnel beneath the WRC). Westwood/Santa Monica would be the only station served by all five lines. Westwood/Wilshire and Westwood/Pico stations would be served by four lines each, Pico/Sepulveda by three, and UCLA by two. Due to the volume of traffic, there should be four tracks to boost tunnel capacity and prevent delays due to stalled trains or repairs. Because of the partially regional function of SFV-LAX line, remaining crossings along Sepulveda should be grade-separated by aerial right of way.



I've also removed a couple superfluous lines and changed the route of the Pico Line. Instead of heading Downtown, it would now go to Hollywood via La Cienega, Beverly, and La Brea, serving the Beverly Center, the Grove, and CBS studios along the way. Perhaps it can be renamed the "Pico-Beverly".

And yes, Ladies & Gentlemen, I do take requests!

UPDATE BELOW 10:10am, 3/25/08:

So I was mulling over some comments at work today and I came up with this routing idea:

Initial Build Out:



The Pink Line, after entering the Westwood Regional Connector at Westwood/Santa Monica, would go south under Westwood to the Westside Pavillion, then west under Pico to Sepulveda, where it would join the Expo en route to Santa Monica.

Initial Build-Out Tunnel Schematic:



The Purple line would initially be built only to Wilshire/Westwood, with the final segment to Santa Monica to be built later. Until that sement is completed, the Pink Line would complete the final leg of the route from Downtown to Santa Monica.

Full Build-Out:



UPDATE:

The Exposition Construction Authority is holding community workshops [PDF] over the next week to provide information and updates on the project. I'll be going to advocate for the Venice/Sepulveda alignment, coordination with the future Pink Line, and the creation of the Westwood Regional Connector. Dates and locations are as follows:

Wednesday, March 26
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Webster Middle School
“Daniel’s Den”
11330 W. Graham Place
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Tuesday, April 1
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Crossroads School
Roth Hall
1714 21st Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Thursday, April 3
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Vista Del Mar Child
and Family Services
Gymnasium
3200 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034