Authorities issue 400 traffic tickets on Eastside in advance of Gold Line opening

Worried about what could happen to heedless pedestrians and motorists once the trains come, MTA officials organized a news conference Monday to stress safety before the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension opens for business.

Just around the corner, Ricardo and Rosa Solis worried more about grabbing a breakfast of pozole as they strolled casually over the railroad tracks on 1st Street.

It was a whole lot faster than walking to the intersection, Ricardo Solis, 37, said. What he didn’t know was that since May, law enforcement had issued more than 400 citations that could cost hundreds of dollars each.

“Hijole!” he exclaimed. “And I saw a police officer too. That could have been a lot of money.”

For the first time in half a century, light rail is returning to Boyle Heights and East L.A. The Gold Line is expected to carry commuters later this summer.

But already, MTA and law enforcement officials are seeing some bad habits that need to be broken. Jaywalking across the tracks is common, and cars are crossing intersections when they’re supposed to be stopping.

The Eastside Extension, which has been doing test runs, is unique in that it mostly goes through narrow neighborhood streets, past small businesses and homes. The Red Line from North Hollywood to Union Station in downtown L.A. is underground, the Blue Line mostly travels parallel to a freight railroad track, and the Gold Line to Pasadena traverses neighborhoods only in certain stretches.

What that means is that the Eastside extension does not have the separation between the trains, cars and pedestrians that the other light rail lines have, said Jose Ubaldo, an MTA spokesman. Unlike the Blue Line, which mostly travels 55 mph, the Gold Line Eastside Extension will move at 35 mph. The agency has embarked on an aggressive educational campaign, working with law enforcement to get the word out in neighborhoods and visiting 60 schools.

L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar said 14 cameras had been placed at intersections for left-hand turn violations by motorists.

But MTA Chief Executive Art Leahy said it had become apparent that the rail line also needs more dividers to discourage people from simply walking across the tracks. The line is well-designed, Leahy said. “It is safe, but we’re going to make it safer.”

-- Hector Becerra in Boyle Heights

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[saywhat?]

This is the worst thing that could happen to the eastside. Its still not safe. The designer of this mess should be ashamed. Why couldn't it be underground? There is too much foot traffic and not enough space for this line above ground.

[m]

How hard is it? You see a train coming and you stay/get off the tracks. Seems like the only people that would be harmed by this would be the folks with genetic deficiencies that should not be reproducing anyways. Survival of the fittest. It's a win for us as a species and for commuters.

[Joel C]

saywhat: No, the East L.A. Interchange was the worst thing that could happen to the Eastside. It destroyed many communities and divided it in a horrible way.

This rail line is a good thing. Making it all subway was too expensive and anyway all subway was banned by legislation.

I do think more barriers makes sense. The temptation to cross can be very great. m's suggestion (to cross only when no trains are coming) is still illegal and dangerous.

[JOSE]

I dont like the train passing on VERY narrow streets in the middle of east la. Dont get me wrong. the train will help a lot of commuters and the environment. BUT the train passing through mostly neighborhoods in east la will for sure cause more serious problems...and remember tickets wont help...its more to blame on the people who worked on the contruction planning for this light rail project and the ones involved...that need to be VERY CAUTIOUS of what they have to do to not interrupt the community rather to make sure that safety is naturally enforced...not pushed!!

[In Los Angeles]

No matter what was built, you know somebody has to complain. The cost for this was huge. A subway would have been even more. The real problem is that the crossing of tracks when no train is coming runs contrary to ordinary expectations.

Crossing only at specified locations is going to be a conditioned response and tickets will be the reminders. Allowing that practice in legal views is akin to inviting it and you have a foot in the door for some sizeable lawsuits, settlements and judgments. Not an economical alternative.

If elevated trains or monorails were used you would avoid a lot crossing issues. Rubber tires instead of metal wheels could reduce noise element. That might have been a less obtrusive and intrusive means of transportation. I don't know if any study has been done on such an alternative in recent times, but I suspect the idea is one that is not serious considered.

As for rail hazards, we had streetcars before, and they were usually traveling more slowly most of the time in comparison to what Red and Gold Lines do now. The safety issue is now even more important because people no longer accept personal responsibility for their own conduct, but look for someone or thing to sue when ANY injury happens. Even if it is their own fault, they look for a way to shift blame and too often succeed.

Aggressive safety enforcement is necessary for addressing that particular modern day eventuality to show all that can be done within reasonable expectations is being done.

That's the price of progress.