As part of the ongoing construction work for the Regional Connector Transit Project, workers will begin the placement of K-rails and traffic lane reconfiguration needed to perform roadway widening along 1st Street between Alameda Street and Vignes Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Traffic on 1st Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
A full closure of 1st Street will start on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6 a.m. and continue through Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. K-rail will remain in place along 1st Street for approximately 10 weeks. Anticipated construction work hours in the area beginning Monday, Oct. 26 will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some activities may require overnight work between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weeknights. The work is needed to support upcoming Metro Gold Line track relocation efforts planned in early 2016.
During the weekend closure beginning on Oct. 24, traffic along 1st Street will be detoured at Alameda Street or Vignes Street to Temple Street or 2nd Street. Following the installation of K-rail, traffic on 1st Street will be maintained with one lane open in each direction.
The south sidewalk on 1st Street between Hewitt Street and Vignes Street will be restricted. Local pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained at all times. Pedestrian detours will be in place at the 1st/Alameda and 1st/Vignes intersections. Left turns at the 1st/Hewitt intersection will be permanently restricted as a result of this activity. Traffic will be redirected to Vignes Street or Alameda Street.
The Regional Connector Transit Project completes a 1.9-mile segment between the Metro Blue and Expo Lines and the Metro Gold Line by providing a direct connection with three new stations planned for 1st Street/Central Avenue, 2nd Street/Broadway and 2nd Place/Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles. The rail line, expected to be completed in 2020, will attract nearly 17,000 new daily riders and provide access to more than 88,000 passengers saving commuters up to 20 minutes off their daily commutes. It will provide a one-seat, one fare ride for commuters from Azusa to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica without the need to transfer between rail lines for major east/west and north/south trips.
The new Metro Rail extension will offer an alternative transportation option to congested roadways, provide significant environmental benefits and spur economic development throughout the County. Through improved connectivity, riders will be better able to use the entire Metro Rail system, municipal bus lines and other regional transportation services.
