As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has unveiled safety improvements to 27 intersections along the Metro Blue Line.
The intersections along Los Angeles County’s first and most heavily used light rail line are receiving new physical barriers to improve pedestrian safety, new and wider walkways and improved signage at a cost of $30 million in Proposition C funds.
“These upgrades are part of the on-going effort to keep our first and busiest rail line at the highest level of safety,” said Metro Board Chair John Fasana. “The Metro Blue Line began service in 1990 and these improvements keep the Blue Line up to date with evolving standards.”
The most visible improvements are pedestrian gates and swing gates at intersections, new walkways poured with concrete instead of asphalt, new fencing and signage, and accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities.
“Workers, students, tourists — tens of thousands of commuters rely on the Blue Line every day, and they deserve the more reliable and convenient service these safety improvements will bring to one of our most active rail lines,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “At the end of the day, we want to bring people throughout L.A. County closer together — from Long Beach to L.A. and everywhere in between. These improvements, coupled with upgrades we want to make to the Wardlow station and the most congested portions of the 710, will help us build the connectivity our region needs and the world-class transportation system we deserve.”
In addition to the newest safety features, in January 2014, Metro began implementing an extensive overhaul of the Metro Blue Line to replace power stations, overhead power lines, tracks and rail cars and make improvements to station platforms. Work is scheduled to continue through fiscal year 2019.
“Every day we try to make the Metro system better, safer and more convenient and this is concrete proof of excellent planning and execution by the Metro Board and staff,” said Metro CEO Phillip Washington.
The Metro Blue Line has about 81,000 weekday boardings at 22 stations between downtown Long Beach and 7th Street/Metro Center in downtown Los Angeles, where riders can transfer to the Red/Purple Line subway. The Metro Blue Line serves Los Angeles Trade Technical College, South Los Angeles — including the famed Watts Towers — and Compton. Blue Line riders can transfer to the Metro Green Line at the Willowbrook station for east-west service to Norwalk and Redondo Beach.
