Metro Gold Line Eastside extension to open Nov. 15

The Metro Gold Line Eastside extension will open Nov. 15, transportation officials announced today.

The $890-million extension is six miles long and runs from Union Station to Atlantic Boulevard in East L.A. Part of the track, 1.7 miles, is made up of twin tunnels.

The line “is going to greatly benefit the community by linking it with schools, hospitals, shopping and business opportunities throughout the county," Ara Najarian, chairman of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, said in a statement.

Construction crews broke ground on the extension in 2004. The Gold Line currently runs northeast from Union Station to Sierra Madre Villa.

Another Metro board member, L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina, said during a board meeting last week that the line is needed on the Eastside but she worries that it is “substandard.” She said she still has concerns about safety.

Metro will offer free rides on the entire Gold Line on opening day, which is a Sunday

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz

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Comments

[LarryA]

What does Molina think is substandard and unsafe about it, and if she thinks it's so bad, why is she not trying to stop its opening?

[Big Paulie the Coach]

Hello?

Would have been nice if you provided the locations of the stations.
Today's journalist needs to always contemplate: how can I make this news more relevant, local and useful to my readers. You must to do it to survive in today's competitive world.

Thanks.

[Eve]

Awesome! I can't wait to try out the new route!!

[CA]

Is the LAT digging into Molina's safety concerns? The forward thinking thing to do would be to see if what she is saying has any merit so we don't fast forward a year from now to find out (tragically) there was a major default in the system.

[D]

CA, there is nothing wrong with the Gold Line. Molina is a self serving idiot.

[Adam Smith]

Gloria Molina fought for this, and now she is unhappy about it? Perhaps if her constituents had a higher regard for the law, the problem would be mitigated. Don't want to get killed by a train? Obey the markings, signs and signals along the route. It is that simple.

I wonder if there is anyone on the Board of Supervisors who could pass the GED.

[EDNA]

finally.. :] we will be able to go to Hollywood w/ out having to deal with the traffic and parking.. woohooo.. dashboard!!!