Harriet continues digging south under Crenshaw Boulevard and arrived at the Martin Luther King Jr. station on the evening of Valentine’s Day, February 14, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project staff announced.
Harriet will now take a 15-day “walk” through the station before mining resumes on the final leg of her journey at the end of February or the first week in March. It is estimated that it will take approximately one month for the tunnel boring machine to reach the Leimert Park Station. At that time, Harriet will be dismantled and retired from the project.
The project is being built by Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC), the firm hired by Metro.
Northern segment
Crenshaw/Expo, Martin Luther King Jr. and Leimert Park stations
Construction of the three underground stations continues with work on columns, lower interior and exterior walls, installation of reinforcement and mechanical, electrical components for the concourse level; and waterproofing.
UG4 (exit/entrance portal to underground segment)
WSCC is installing waterproofing membrane, removing struts and walers and installing ductbank that will house electric and fiber optics.
Park Mesa Heights (from 48th Street to Slauson Avenue)
Construction on this street-level segment is now in full swing, including work on curb and gutter reconstruction, street lighting, storm drain installation, demolition and replacement of sidewalk and driveways, installation of underground conduits, the relocation of fire hydrants and periodic utility adjustments.
There will also be a 21-day or possibly longer closure of curbside parking on the east side of Crenshaw Boulevard between 54th and 57th streets and on the west side between 57th Street and Slauson Avenue (2/13 - 3/6/17). West side of Crenshaw between 54th and 57th and east side of Crenshaw between Slauson and 57th (3/6 - 3/27/17)
Temporary parking is now in place and includes parking lots on Crenshaw Boulevard at 48th Street, 50th Street and 54th Street. Metro also paid for improvements to three existing Los Angeles Department of Transportation parking lots located on 11th Avenue.
The demolition of the center median on Crenshaw Boulevard, between 48th and 54th street, allowed for construction of the railroad tracks to start on Feb. 10.
Hyde Park Station
February 14th marked the beginning of construction of the Hyde Park Station. First steps are the demolition of the median on Crenshaw Boulevard at Slauson Avenue followed by steel pile installation.
UG3 (underground segment between Hyde Park Station and 67th Street)
Decking activities continue at the intersection of Hyde Park Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard. Activities are scheduled over the next six weeks between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. There may be some weekend closures of Hyde Park Boulevard for this work.
Southern Segment
The southern segment of the line is also taking shape, with construction underway in the Inglewood, Westchester and LAX communities.
Stations
All four stations in the southern segment are under construction. The Fairview Heights Station is the furthest along followed by Downtown Inglewood Station and then Westchester/Veterans Station. Concrete was placed this week in the platform for the aerial Aviation/Century Station. Work on the retaining walls that will hold the ballast for the tracks has also begun.
Bridges
The bridges over La Brea Avenue, I-405 Freeway, Manchester Boulevard, Century Boulevard, 111th Street and Imperial Highway are also in various stages of construction.
Green Line Connection
The falsework (framing) has been removed from the bridge sections over Imperial Highway and Hornet Way that will connect the Crenshaw/LAX Line to the Green Line. Work on retaining wall to support tracks between Imperial Highway and 111th Street and six other are completed.
