My bad, I just enlarged the photo and it is plantings. is that some type of ivey? What can you tell us about it. Is there a ledge where it is planted? My depth perception in the photo does not show it to well and the screen showed it as dark but not very green. Thanks Mike.
It is great to see this line finally being built. I worked on the design of the extension from Aviation Blvd through El Segundo, and the wye to be able to extend service north on Aviation Blvd. was one of the key items of the project. That was in early 1988!
NIGEL CORNWELLIt is great to see this line finally being built. I worked on the design of the extension from Aviation Blvd through El Segundo, and the wye to be able to extend service north on Aviation Blvd. was one of the key items of the project. That was in early 1988!
Slightly OT, but do you know why the stations west of Aviation were designed for only two cars? Most of the system platforms can accomodate three.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Another photo oriented progress report from the Metro blog:
http://thesource.metro.net/2016/12/09/fresh-pics-latest-roundup-of-crenshawlax-line-construction/
Physical changes to this area have made it hard to recognize from when I worked in the area 35 years ago. A WWII era worker at North American or Douglas would find almost no landmarks from their time remaining.
MikeF90 and All:
Towards the end of the month, that last week, word is I’ll have a dispatch to right near that area, right by the 105 Freeway and LAX, reportedly before dawn. When the sun comes up I should be able to get some photos. Your great photos, MikeF90, are increasingly hard for me to interpret WHERE exactly they were taken from because things are change so fast! I need to get out that way and see it for myself.
It is unknown if I can find a vantage point for this or not, but I hope to use a telephoto lens to take a photo that shows Century Blvd., the LAX runways area, and the 105 Freeway and all the new light rail bridging all in one photo.
And, Mike, that link of the Crenshaw-LAX route northward a ways made me determine to try to get photos, maybe even of that digging machine if possible. If that dispatch falls through (not likely), I think I’ll get out that way regardless.
It is unknown if you have plans to get out that way and take more photos, but if you don’t I should have something to post around the end of the year.
Take care,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
Last Day of the 2016 Year Check …
… on the Crenshaw-LAX Line
Part “A” (of A-D)
On Saturday, December 31, 2016 a way before dawn dispatch to the El Segundo area (CA) was taken care of, in the LAX airport area. Afterwards, the Crenshaw-LAX line was checked out.
Below are the results of a single shutter release by Century Blvd. and Airport Drive, looking south, the below one a very blown-up view of the first one.
That project has severe situations, as above, with an elevated track (left, first photo, south side) nose diving to go under (i.e., in a trench) a jet flight path and immediately elevates (right) to bride over a main roadway artery (Century Blvd.).
Vehicle traffic made it difficult to photograph the above dawn shot.
Even earlier, about a couple of blocks southwest of that above intersection, the south slope of that flyover is seen in the next photo.
The light came from business on the road where the camera was.
A view of the flyover lowering into a trench, in less light:
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-D)
Up north a ways, at the east-west Manchester Blvd., another flyover is seen, above the old BNSF alignment (see the leftover track is roadway).
Those businesses across the street on the left (above) that probably paid good money for the property and built those building slantingly to be seen by the heavy vehicle traffic are probably not too happy that the Crenshaw-LAX flyover here will block much of the view of their properties from oncoming westward (leftward) vehicle traffic.
Another view with the old track on the lower left.
Looking southwest, with an aircraft on approach to LAX's north runways.
On the north side the flyover lowers, and Aviation Drive curves with a new street name, Florence Ave.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-D)
At Oaks Street and Florence Ave., looking southwest now, another flyover of somesort lowers as it come northeast.
Looking northeast:
The old Santa Fe grade crossing:
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-D)
Looking east on Florence Ave. from Fir Ave., the line curves up on another flyover.
From this spot K.P. soon lost the routing northeastward. There seemed to be construction on the old BNSF Harbor Sub, and also up the center of Crenshaw Blvd. K.P. is hoping to extensive research this and take onsite photos in the next month or two.
This will end the series.
K. P. Harrier Last Day of the 2016 Year Check … … on the Crenshaw-LAX Line Part “D” (of A-D) From this spot K.P. soon lost the routing northeastward. There seemed to be construction on the old BNSF Harbor Sub, and also up the center of Crenshaw Blvd. K.P. is hoping to extensive research this and take onsite photos in the next month or two. This will end the series.
Maybe this will be of use: http://la.curbed.com/2016/12/29/14120392/video-flyover-crenshaw-lax-light-rail
No sympathy at all for the businesses just northwest of the Manchester Blvd flyover. The ROW is the LA - Inglewood border, and the inept City of LA let them build without enough parking or street access. All for the privilege of more regs and higher fees in LA.
OTOH the nearby LR station will be close to a new microbrewery and some great small restos on the Inglewood side.
K. P. HarrierAt Oak Street and Florence Ave., looking southwest now, another flyover of somesort lowers as it come northeast.
This is the east end of the flyover over the I-405 freeway. The bridge looks spectacular but I haven't figured out a good place to shoot it from.
Construction progress is slow but steady. At the south end of the new line, the wood framing on the wye is being removed. Finally I was able to get some shots of the trench near 104th Street:
Looking south we see the multiple pipe supports which will probably be in place until the trench walls and floor are complete and self supporting.
Looking north we see the future 'roller coaster' where the trains will go from a trench to the Century Blvd flyover.
The final picture shows the ongoing wall construction next to the short 104th Street 'tunnel', er road bridge.
I get to visit my old territory next week and I'm getting ready to admit I no longer recognize it. I'll be staying about a quarter mile from the now replaced MP 13.1 hump bridge over Century Blvd. on the severed Harbor Sub. with the rest of my AREMA tribe. Thanx for the preview.
mudchicken (1-30):
So, you admit that you “no longer recognize it,” the LAX (airport) area and the ex-Santa Fe Harbor Line. I was a kid in the 60’s and have seen the area evolve, but I, like you, must admit to now having difficulty recognizing the area by the ex-AT&SF track!
Reshown December 31, 2016 dawn view, looking south with Century Blvd. the bottom cross street
Enjoy your visit to that area … and give yourself plenty of time to hike (“hike”) around the area. You will regret it if you don’t!
Best,
The irony is that we are staying there so we can go look at the San Gabriel Trench hole-in-da-ground operation....Will take a look on foot where I can.
More construction photos have been posted to Metro's blog:
http://thesource.metro.net/2017/02/16/fresh-pics-crenshawlax-line-construction-2/
Hard for a visitor to get underground shots :-).
What damage has occurred in the construction zones during all the current rains ?
blue streak 1What damage has occurred in the construction zones during all the current rains ?
Probably no way of knowing. If weather causes significant delays and requires 'do overs', the contractor may seek some 'financial and schedule relief'.
OTOH the contractor has to be prepared for construction during our 'wet' season. Also, the construction area isn't near any significant waterways that a flash flood would hit. Storm drains work pretty well!
OTOH the contractor has to be prepared for construction during our 'wet' season.
[/quote]
Did they listen to Albert hammond?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Never_Rains_In_Southern_California
The contractor has completed the second tunnel for this line; pictures are here on the Metro web site: http://thesource.metro.net/2017/04/21/crenshawlax-lines-tunnel-boring-machine-officially-retired-at-media-event-and-other-pics-from-project/
Meanwhile, more tunneling is in progress on the Purple Line extension and the downtown Regional Connector.
More construction pictures from the LAC Metro blog:
http://thesource.metro.net/2017/05/05/fresh-pics-recent-crenshawlax-line-construction/
Mysteriously the recent clear weather has been interrupted this weekend in order to interfere with photography.
A “Spectacular” Bridge and Chopper Madness
In MikeF90’s post of January 4, 2017 (Wow, does time ever fly!) he said the under construction Crenshaw-LAX bridging up and over the 405 Freeway looked “spectacular,” then said “but I haven’t figured out a good place to shoot it from.” That inspired K.P. to visit the site yesterday, May 12, 2017. Yes, it is most unusual, and K.P. is not sure he understands what he saw. But, whatever it was, it IS on the somewhat hard side of photograph, but aerials suggest it is possible, and he hopes to return soon in an attempt (“attempt”) to capture the spectacular-ness of the up and over bridge.
Nevertheless, this visit's photos were shot from a very nearby road with questionable results. That road was a most unusual one, kind of a chopper-a-go-go situation! And the below scene isn’t even half of it!
Anyway, in a few days K.P. hopes to post his findings on and from a nearby street that is near the new bridging over the 405 Freeway, plus the transition location where the Crenshaw Line branches off northward from the Santa Fe Railway Harbor Line to the tunneling under the Crenshaw Blvd. for some distance The present northern terminus area where it will “T” (at different levels) with the Expo Line looks rather spectacular in itself, with the property’s ‘can’t see inside’ fence around it, and a high crane! And, mid-route, track IS NOW being laid along the route, though none of the track laying was photographed in the limit time K.P. had!
Expect a post series sometime next week.
Visiting the Crenshaw-LAX Line
May 12, 2017
Part I (of I-IV)
A focus on the bridging over the 405 Freeway was made, from a street just northeast of the 405 Freeway. The street is Hyde Park Blvd., and the Crenshaw-LAX line (under construction bridging) is between Florence Ave. (cross street in the background) and Augusta Street (foreground cross street).
Southwest:
As is seen in the just above extreme blowup, some type of thick ‘something’ goes over the 405 Freeway possibly holding up the temporary bracing for the under construction bridge.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-IV)
Looking northeast at the bridging under construction over Hyde Park Blvd. Note the Santa Fe Harbor Line track still in the ex-grade crossing.
The bridging is right next to Florence Ave. Looking southwest:
Above, the fencing on the left is where Florence Ave. goes over the 405 Freeway.
Views were disappointing of that “something” over the 405 Freeway. Sometime in the future an effort will be made to photograph that ‘something,’ possibly hiking in to do so.
Looking north on Hyde Park Blvd. Motorcycles are on both sides of the street.
Northward views from the light rail cars that will eventually go over the bridge over Hyde Park Blvd. will be a good advertisement for those chopper shops. The last time K.P. was on a motorcycle was maybe 45 years ago. Too many people he knew got killed with them, so he and his dad sold their bikes …
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-IV)
We now go to where the old Santa Fe Harbor Line northeastwardly crosses Crenshaw Blvd. Apparently, the transit line will now turn north and follow the center of Crenshaw Blvd.
More northward views:
On a previous passing through this area, Crenshaw Blvd. was down to one lane in each direction because of the construction. Now it is two lanes in each directly. The center of the street construction goes for several blocks and ends. Likely, this area is where the tracks will start to tunnel under Crenshaw Blvd. and be an underground line for a while. K.P., in traveling north on Crenshaw Blvd., passed NO other construction. Apparently, everything will be underground from here north.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-IV)
The Crenshaw-LAX Line goes north until it reaches Exposition Blvd., where the east-west Expo Line crosses.
In a previous visit buildings were on the southeast corner of Crenshaw Blvd. and Exposition Blvd. They are all gone now and a high fence surround the property and a high crane is present.
Not in this construction phase, but sometime in the future the Crenshaw-LAX line will be continued northward and meet-up with another east-west line.
This will conclude the series.
The Situation Update as of Friday, July 7, 2017
Of the Rather Illogical and Things …
… that Don’t Appear to Make Sense!
Until the last almost two months ago visit, K.P. had never seen Santa Fe’s “Harbor Sub” Line that snaked through the Inglewood area. A past resident of the nearby Inland Empire for decades, he had a good, general knowledge of the L.A. basin, but somehow the Inglewood rail scene had escaped him. So, he checked it out recently, and found the construction of the rail crossing of the 405 Freeway rather mysterious. So, this visit he focused on that mysteriousness!
Views of that under construction flyover type bridging from the paralleling Florence Ave. that goes over the 405 Freeway:
A direct side view and the patriotism of the construction company:
So, what is with that above wooden bridge type construction over another wood type construction?
The key photo: Note the shadowed concrete bridging ABOVE the whitish barricade on the lower right:
So, apparently, the OLD Santa Fe concrete bridge over the 405 Freeway was left in place and used as a platform for the wooden vertical construction supports!
The sloping “flyover” type aspect of the southwest approach to the new bridge:
So, there we have it, and a mystery solved! Of course, now one has to wonder HOW the old Santa Fe Bridge will eventually be taken down with a flyover above it! It is not like they can bring a crane in and hoist up the old bridge from above …
Since I've been slacking off on local photography here are some recent content links.
Metro blog - construction photos: http://thesource.metro.net/2017/11/30/fresh-pics-recent-work-on-the-crenshawlax-line/
Metro blog - announcement of 71 day (!!) closure of Green Line section for connection of LAX/Crenshaw line: http://thesource.metro.net/2017/12/01/71-day-closure-of-five-green-line-stations-begins-jan-26-to-connect-crenshawlax-line-to-green-line/
The station closures and bus shuttle scenario are not making people happy.
MikeF90 Metro blog - announcement of 71 day (!!) closure of Green Line section for connection of LAX/Crenshaw line: http://thesource.metro.net/2017/12/01/71-day-closure-of-five-green-line-stations-begins-jan-26-to-connect-crenshawlax-line-to-green-line/ The station closures and bus shuttle scenario are not making people happy.
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