The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) celebrated the success of its Business Solution Center, Business Interruption Fund and the Eat, Shop, Play construction mitigation programs, all of which helped local businesses during the construction period for the 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX Line.
The project’s first two construction segments are now substantially complete.
Construction mitigation programs
The agency is officially closing out these successful pilot construction mitigation programs, which offered business resources, funding and promotion in support of small mom and pop businesses that were impacted by rail construction between 2014 and 2022.
L.A. Metro’s Business Solution Center provided hands-on business development, support services and referrals to more than 300 small businesses in the Crenshaw and Inglewood communities. L.A. Metro’s Business Interruption Fund officially awarded more than $20.1 million to more than 230 unique small businesses along the project corridor.
Overall, L.A. Metro’s Business Interruption Fund awarded more than $32.9 million to more than 430 unique small businesses for transit rail construction projects, including Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, Regional Connector and all three sections of the Purple Line Extension Project.
The L.A. Metro Board of Directors authorized the agency to designate up to $10 million annually to be used for implementation of the fund. Businesses may file multiple requests for financial assistance through the fund. The amount paid cannot exceed $50,000 per impact year. Both the Business Solution Center and Business Interruption Fund were originally established by L.A. Metro’s Board in 2014.
Lastly, L.A. Metro’s Eat Shop Play Crenshaw pilot advertising and community engagement program is also concluding. L.A. Metro designed this program to promote and support small businesses impacted by rail construction. More than 150 businesses located along the project corridor partnered with L.A. Metro to receive free business marketing assistance. Marketing services included print/digital ads on L.A. Metro’s bus and rail system, social media and email marketing.
“These construction mitigation programs have been critical for many of local small business owners, giving them much-needed relief and financial support as a result of years of construction in their neighborhoods,” said L.A. Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, representing the First District. “We know these small businesses will emerge stronger with a helping hand from Metro and continue to thrive as this new rail line brings more customers to their doorsteps in the years ahead.”
Substantial completion
L.A. Metro also marked substantial completion for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project between the C Line (Green) and 48th Street in Inglewood. A third and final section between 48th Street and E Line (Expo) is anticipated to be substantially complete in the coming months.
“The Crenshaw/LAX Line is integral to L.A.’s transportation future – and today’s milestone is proof of our extraordinary progress,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “We’ve promised Angelenos a state-of-the-art transit system in South L.A. for years, and today, we want to thank our residents and businesses for their perseverance and support – and proudly share that in just a few months, we’ll open up a new train that will ease congestion, improve public health, and connect their communities with the rest of our rapidly expanding transit network.”
L.A. Metro’s contractor, Walsh-Shea Corridor Constructors, has now completed its intensive system integration testing to validate the proper operation of all equipment and systems, including train control signals, underground station and tunnel ventilation, radio systems, back-up power, fire and smoke alarms and electricity to trains and stations, among others.
L.A. Metro will begin its own five-to-six-month testing period for the new rail line. It began training operations and maintenance staff in preparation for the line’s future public opening in late summer 2022. An exact opening date has not yet been selected.
“This project will be transformational for Los Angeles County, particularly for South Los Angeles and Inglewood as we strive to deliver a safe and reliable transit option through these diverse communities,” said Metro CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins. “Construction of the Crenshaw/LAX line has been a very complex undertaking featuring many unique features that include every type of light rail elements including underground, at-grade and aerial configurations, all designed to best serve these neighborhoods. We look forward to beginning the pre-revenue testing phase and the opening of this important infrastructure project that will provide tremendous mobility benefits to the community.”
Due to ongoing construction of a new Airport Metro Connector Station at Aviation Boulevard/96th Street, the Crenshaw/LAX Line is anticipated to open seven stations, operating between Expo/Crenshaw and Westchester/Veterans stations. A bus bridge will link the Crenshaw/LAX Line at Westchester/Veterans Station to the C Line (Green) at Aviation/LAX Station.
The new Aviation/Century Station will not be served by trains until full line operations begin (expected in second half of 2023) once the Airport Metro Connector Station platform structure has been completed. The Airport Metro Connector station is anticipated to be ready for service in the second half of 2024.
