Metro Announces Art & Naming Contest for Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project's TBM

 Time To Welcome the Tunnel Boring Machine

Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project

The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project is an 8.5-mile light-rail line currently under construction, with eight new stations including Crenshaw/Exposition, Crenshaw/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Crenshaw/Vernon, Crenshaw/Slauson, Florence/West, Florence/La Brea, Florence/Hindry and Aviation/Century. The rail line will run between the Expo Line on Exposition Blvd and the Metro Green Line.

What is a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)?

A TBM is like a giant drill. The TBM will slowly drill through the earth, digging the tunnels needed for the trains to travel underground. The tunnels will connect three stations from Expo/Crenshaw to Vernon/Crenshaw.

Why do we name the TBM?

Traditionally, a TBM cannot start work until it is given a name. The TBM is generally named after a woman as a sign of good luck for the project ahead. History shows that workers looked to Saint Barbara for protection; she is the patron saint for military engineers, miners and others who work underground.

There is an Art Contest for Pre-K through 5th grade students. Students will create artwork that shows what an ideal community looks like and will be entered to win cool prizes. The winning artwork will be displayed on the #CrenshawTBM. The artwork can be a painting, a drawing, a printed photo of a 3-D sculpture or diorama, or a collage.

There is a naming contest for Middle School and High School Students. They can name the TBM for a chance to make history and will also be entered to win cool prizes and the opportunity to have the name displayed on the #CrenshawTBM. Students are asked to submit an essay of 200 words or less or a 2-minute (or less) video about the chosen name for the TBM, including the significance of the name chosen and how it relates to community, transportation or engineering. 

Visit metro.net/crenshaw for additional contest rules and prize information.