LA Metro Regional Connector makes progress

The $1.55 billion Metro Regional Connector Transit Project, a 1.9-mile long twin-bore rail tunnel linking the Gold, Blue and Expo lines in Los Angeles, has punched through the site of the future 2nd/Hope Station in Bunker Hill.

The tunnels, scheduled for completion by early 2018, will connect three new stations along the Connector, from Little Tokyo to the Financial District in downtown L.A., including the 1st /Central Station in Little Tokyo and the 2nd /Broadway Station in the Civic Center.

A 1,000-ton, 450-foot-long tunnel boring machine christened “Angeli” simultaneously digs, builds circular concrete to shape the tunnels and lays rail at a rate of 50 feet per day while excavating 1,300-tons of soil. Angeli started its journey in March to dig the first tunnel starting from 1st and Alameda in Little Tokyo to 4th and Flower in the Financial District.

Route enhancements provided by the Metro Regional Connector, scheduled for completion in 2021, will allow for single-seat rides between Santa Monica and East L.A. and between Azusa and Long Beach, eliminating the need for transfers.

Arcadis provides construction management support services for this project.