Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MARCH 24, 2022
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS GARCETTI, SOLIS, AND NAJARIAN
Link Union Station - Los Angeles River Path Connector Motion
In the coming decade, Metro is poised to deliver Link Union Station (Link US) and the Los Angeles River Path, two generational investments that promise to transform mobility in LA County. Once complete, Link US will revolutionize the rider experience at Union Station and unlock vastly improved regional and intercity rail service throughout the County. Likewise, the LA River Path is the key to a world-class, off-street, continuous active transportation route from the San Fernando Valley to Downtown Long Beach, creating a true opportunity for regional active transportation travel.
In June 2016, Metro's Link US technical team conducted a preliminary study on how to leverage Link US to improve access to the LA River in support of City and County LA River master plans. Additionally, the Board approved a motion in March 2017 (2017-0214; Fasana - Barger - Solis - Dupont-Walker) which included a directive emphasizing the need for direct connections between Union Station and the LA River.
As Metro's Link US and the LA River Path projects each advanced, a leading concept emerged to connect Union Station to the River Path via a direct, off-street connector running generally alongside the Link US rail flyover and with one potential intermediate access point in the Arts District. This connector was environmentally cleared as a Link US design option and, by late 2020, Metro had completed three promising design concepts. The connector is also included as an option in Metro's forthcoming Link US Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) contract.
Thanks to this foresight and early action, the portion of the connector within and adjacent to the Link US project footprint has the potential to be efficiently constructed as part of Link US so long as funding is identified.
The LA River Path has assume...
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