Metro Considers 4 Alternatives for Gold Line Extension

Metro is ready to hit the ground running in 2009.  Staff is prepared to offer 4 alternatives to extending the Gold Line at this month's Metro Board meeting following the formal unveiling at next week's Planning and Programming Committee Meeting.

With the Alternatives Analysis now completed, we are one step closer to seeing the Gold Line penetrate deeper into the Eastside than its current alignment.  The next step would be for Metro to select a locally preferred alternative from one of the four routes remaining.

The four routes still being considered, hot off Metro's press release presses, are:

• SR-60: Thisalignment generally follows the southern edge of the SR-60 Freeway within theexisting right-of-way. It would terminate just west of the I-605/SR-60interchange. This alternative would follow the slope of the freeway and becomeelevated over freeway ramps.
• Beverly: This alignment follows SR-60 for a shortstretch before traveling south on Garfield Avenue to connect with BeverlyBoulevard. On Beverly Boulevard, this alignment continues east, using theWhittier Greenway to terminate at Whittier Boulevard. This alternative isprimarily at-grade (street level) with short elevated structures along GarfieldAvenue and at the San Gabriel River.
• Beverly/Whittier: This alignment is the same as theBeverly alternative until reaching Montebello Boulevard where it heads south toWhittier Boulevard. Once on Whittier Boulevard, this alignment becomes elevatedto cross two rivers and the I-605 freeway, ending at-grade in the city ofWhittier.
• Washington: This alignment follows SR-60 to Garfield Avenue, travelingsouth to Washington Boulevard. From there, the alignment continues east to thecity of Whittier. This alternative is elevated along parts of Garfield Avenueand all of Washington Boulevard to eliminate conflict with truck traffic in theWashington Boulevard corridor.

In addition to Los Angeles, the
study also includes 12 municipalities and parts of unincorporated L.A. County.