The Santa Monica Expo Line

The Expo Line hasn't even arrived in Culver City. But Santa Monica is already beginning to plan the rail line's second phase into Santa Monica. The public is invited to share ideas on where the route should go and where stations should be placed. Of course, Expo Line, Part II still needs $800 million and would not start until at least 2010. Santa Monica officials are talking boldly to the Lookout News:

Noting that the project would usher in the biggest social and physical change in Santa Monica since the 10 Freeway ripped through the Pico Neighborhood in the 1950s, some council members said they want to avoid displacing communities and, ironically, compounding traffic. "I've been looking back at what the impacts of the 10 freeway have been," said Council member Kevin McKeown. "There is with good reason lively debate in Santa Monica on where the stations and how many stations there should be." Council member Ken Genser worried that such stations -- which could supply hundreds of parking spaces for area commuters -- may in fact prove to be magnets for traffic and congestion.

Here's more details on the public meetings on phase two of the Expo Line.

Comments

[John M]

To residents of Santa Monica -

May I recommend that the line be elevated as soon as feasible once it crosses the Culver City border? Service will be quicker in town, no traffic will be affected, and it will be easier to mitigate noise.

Elevated rail lines do not have to be ugly. Indeed, a line of concrete pillars may be more attractive than electric poles and cyclone fences in your neighborhoods. Ask South Pasadena residents about their feelings on the Gold Line crossing Mission on a diagonal at one of the most popular coffee hangouts in the area.

Consider your alternatives and buy for the future, not to solve an immediate "problem".