L.A. Metro Will Spend $81.5 Million to Improve Blue Line to Long Beach

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) appears to be taking a break from its perpetual expansion projects to make some improvements to the heavily used but aging Blue Line.

1 minute read

July 2, 2017, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Long Beach to Los Angeles

Brad Davis, AICP / Flickr

"As Metro continues to expand its rapidly developing rail network, the agency has also begun to double back of late, with plans to improve service on the aging Blue Line," according to Elijah Chiland. Specifically, the Metro Board of Directors "approved an $81.5 million contract that will pay for track upgrades along the route aimed at reducing delays in service."

"The project will add four new interlockings to the route, allowing trains to switch tracks more often to avoid construction or areas where mechanical issues are occurring," adds Chiland.

Ben Poston and Laura J. Nelson reported findings about the Blue Line's spotty performance in August—16 percent of Blue Line trains were late in June 2016.

Monday, June 26, 2017 in Curbed Los Angeles

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A Firefighter sprays water from a hose at a tall blaze.

US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060

Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.

November 4 - Inside Climate News

People cross a crosswalk in Los Angeles.

LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.

November 4 - ABC7

Two women walking on the sidewalk in Dallas.

Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code

The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.

November 4 - Yahoo News