Testing under way on LA’s Expo Line
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefClearance testing for the second phase of the Expo Line light rail project in Los Angeles began April 6 with a train operating under its own power west from Culver City. This is the first time an LRV has crossed the new bridge over Venice Boulevard.
The second phase of the Expo Line is expected to open in spring 2016 between Culver City and downtown Santa Monica, carrying passengers between 7th/Metro Center in downtown Los Angeles and downtown Santa Monica.
The project, funded by Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2008, is being built by the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority. When construction is complete later this year, the authority will hand over the project to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), which will operate the line.
The testing activity involves train clearances, the catenary system, traffic signal interfaces on surface-running segments and all related systems before the project is turned over to LACMTA for pre-revenue operations.
