Metrolink train hits pedestrian, subway meetings and Bruce: Ramping up, Sept. 2

Metrolink fatal: A train on the Ventura County line heading into Los Angeles killed a person walking no the tracks in the Northridge area this morning about 7:15 a.m. Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell says that passengers on the line can expect delays in both directions throughout the morning as buses are used to shuttle them between trains in Van Nuys and Chatsworth. UPDATE, 12:10 p.m.: All tracks are reopened and normal schedule resumes, Metrolink says. LAT story and LAist reports Metrolink has started sending commuter updates via Twitter.

Gas prices: Hurricane Gustav appears to have spared oil operations in the Gulf of Mexico, although California gets most of its gas from oil pumped in California, Alaska and overseas. No serious fluctuation in prices across the U.S., AAA reports. The photo shows the evacuation on I-55 in Mississippi on Sunday. 

Subway route: Metro officials are scheduled this week to announce the route or routes they want to further study for the proposed subway to the sea. Public meetings also begin this week; schedule after the jump.

Bruce rocks Harleyfest: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band took the stage Saturday night at a festival honoring Harley Davidson's 105th anniversary in Milwaukee and proceeded to play straight through for the next 3 1/2 hours, further proof they are men among boys in the domain of rock 'n' roll. For the 31-song set list, visit Backstreets.

-- Steve Hymon

Photo credit: Therese Apel / Associated Press

Metro to Hold Five Community Update Meetings in September on Metro Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will be conducting a new round of community update meetings in September on the agency’s Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study.

Metro will provide an update to the public on its alternatives analysis to date for the possible extension of the subway to the Westside, including draft staff recommendations. Meetings will be held throughout the study area at the following locations:

City of Santa Monica: Wednesday, September 3, 6 – 8 p.m., Santa Monica Public Library, Auditorium, 1st Floor, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica. Served by Metro Lines 4, 20, 33, 333, 720 and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Lines 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10. Validated vehicle and bike parking is available.

City of West Hollywood: Thursday, September 4, 6 – 8 p.m., Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. Served by Metro Line 4. Free vehicle and bike parking is available at the location.

City of Beverly Hills: Saturday, September 6, 2 – 4 p.m., Beverly Hills Public Library – Auditorium, 2nd Floor, 444 N Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. Served by Metro Lines 4, 14, 16, 704. Free 2-hour parking available in the adjacent structure.

Wilshire/Fairfax area: Monday, September 8, 6 – 8 p.m., Los Angeles County Museum of Art West - Terrace Room, 5th Floor, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. Served by Metro lines 20, 720, 920, 217, 780. Validated vehicle parking is available in the Museum’s 6th Street underground garage. Enter from 6th and Ogden

Westwood area: Wednesday, September 10, 6 – 8 p.m., Westwood Presbyterian Church, 10822 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. Served by Metro Lines 20, 720, 920. Free parking available at the location.

Metro has completed three rounds of community meetings — in October 2007, January/February 2008 and May 2008. Based on the analysis and public input received at these meetings, Metro has identified the alternatives to be recommended for further study through an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement.

These new round of meetings will present to the public the refined set of alternatives that will be recommended for further study and a schedule for future steps.
Content presented at these meetings will be identical, so members of the public can attend at the time and location most convenient for them.

In the fall, Metro will present the Alternatives Analysis Report and its recommendations to its board of directors, which may then authorize a full environmental review.

For additional information or questions, please visit the Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study web site at metro.net/westside or contact the project information line at 213.922.6934.