L.A. Metro Invites Public to Choose Name and Art Work for Regional Connector Tunnel Boring Machine
The public is invited to help choose a name and art work for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Regional Connector Transit Project’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) that later this year will begin digging twin tunnels for the project.
The top 10 name finalists selected include; Amelia (Amelia Earhart), Angeli,Esperanza, Fortuna (Fortuna Redux), Little Narumi, Mary (Mary Tape), Mona Lisa, Tara, Toph and Yoky (Yoky Matsuoka).
Metro encourages the public to go online at www.metro.net/projects/connector-tunnel-boring-machine-tbm/ and cast their vote for a name and art work now through August 22. The 10 finalists were chosen from more than 300 entries.
Naming of the TBM is a mining tradition that dates back to the 14th century. Saint Barbara, the patron saint for military engineers and miners, has been revered by underground workers as a symbol of protection and good luck for centuries. This homage evolved into the tradition of naming tunneling machines with a female name before the digging begins.
In partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Monica Garcia, the TBM Naming & Art Contest was divided into two categories: LAUSD students from preschool/Kindergarten through 12th grade submitted original drawings illustrating the new Regional Connector line in their ideal communities and students from preschool/Kindergarten through 12th grade submitted original essays proposing names for the TBM.
The prizes for the winners of both categories will be Metro TAP cards loaded with fare valued at $300, $200 or $100. Contest winners will be announced during a lowering ceremony anticipated to occur this fall with the winning name and illustration to be displayed on the side of the massive machine.
The committee that selected the top 10 names and top 10 illustrations included representatives from Metro, representatives from Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Vice Chair Eric Garcetti’s office, representatives from City of Los Angeles Councilmember Jose Huizar’s Office, Regional Connector Constructors (RCC) and the Regional Connector Community Leadership Council (RCCLC).
TBM Naming Contest
The TBM was manufactured in Germany by Herrenknecht AG. It weighs approximately 1,000 tons, is 400 feet long and 21.5 feet in diameter. It will advance about 60 feet per day when digging and take about one year to excavate the two one-mile tunnels.
The TBM will begin its journey at the Mangrove Yard, located at the northeast corner of 1st Street and Alameda Street. Once tunneling begins, the TBM will dig the tunnel for the northbound tracks in Little Tokyo, be retrieved from under Flower Street and then re-launched in Little Tokyo to dig the tunnel for the southbound tracks.
The Regional Connector Transit Project is a 1.9-mile underground light-rail extension that will connect the Blue, Expo and Gold Lines in downtown Los Angeles and will include three new stations at 1st Street/Central Avenue, 2nd Street/ Broadway and 2nd Place/Hope Street. The rail line is expected to serve 88,000 riders daily – including 17,000 new riders – and save commuters up to 20 minutes by reducing the need to transfer. The connector will provide a one-seat, one fare ride for commuters from Azusa to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica.
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.
