CPUC Rules: An At-Grade Station Is Just Fine for Expo at Farmdale
Rendering of the future Farmdale Station? The first round of the "Last Battle of Farmdale" has been decided, and it appears to be a rout for those supporting the creation of a new station for the Expo Line at the intersection of Farmdale and Exposition Boulevard in front of Dorsey High School. Yesterday afternoon, California Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge Maribeth A. Bushey ruled that the construction of an at-grade station satisfies C.P.U.C.'s safety requirements for the intersection. The full C.P.U.C. Committee can overturn Bushey's decision after public comment, which ends on July 13, but Bushey's ruling is a blow to those fighting for a grade-separates Expo Line.
You can read the full proposed decision here, but here's the key part:
On balance, the Farmdale crossing station proposal substantially diminishes the safety issues created by a pedestrian at-grade crossing, without adding new safety and aesthetic issues. The station also adds to the neighborhood convenience by providing walkable access to the Expo line for residents and students and retains the vehicular crossing. We, therefore, conclude that the Farmdale station alternative is superior to the pedestrian overcrossing, vehicular crossing closed option.
As you would expect, at-grade opponent Damien Goodmon isn't happy with the decision. He tells the Times:
It is clear that the commission has pulled out its rubber stamp and doesn't care about the safety of Dorsey High School students.
When a date is announced for the final CPUC hearing on the issue, Streetsblog will report it here.
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