Metrolink CEO Brief – June 14, 2019
LA River Taylor Yard Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Groundbreaking
On Monday, 51st District Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, Metrolink Board Director and LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, LA City Engineer Gary Lee Moore and Metrolink’s Interim Chief of Program Delivery Justin Fornelli were among those who participated in the groundbreaking of the new Taylor Yard Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge near the Central Maintenance Facility (CMF).
The bridge will span the LA River, connecting the Elysian Valley and Cypress Park neighborhoods, and will feature separate walking and biking paths. The 400-foot-long bridge will take about two years to build and is funded by Metro.
Once completed, the bridge will connect the LA River Bike Path with a future city park on land where previously stood Southern Pacific’s Taylor Yard rail facility.
We look forward to the construction and completion of the bridge and park as it will help to improve the communities surrounding the CMF.
Passengers at Fullerton, Buena Park and Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Stations to see Temporary Track Changes Next Week
In an effort to improve rider experience while increasing on-time performance, temporary track changes will occur at the Fullerton, Buena Park and Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs stations from June 17 to 21.
During the week, morning trains will switch to opposite platforms, affecting trains on the Orange County and 91/Perris Valley lines as well as Pacific Surfliner trains.
In coordination with Amtrak, we will have Customer Relations staff members at those train stations to help direct riders to the appropriate platforms and answer any questions.
Trains will return to their previous track beginning on Monday, June 24 and an assessment of the service, as well as rider feedback, will help determine whether the changes will be made permanent.
The following trains will be impacted by this pilot program: Orange County Line trains 600, 601, 603, 605, 683, 607, 682, 685 and 687; 91/Perris Valley Line trains 700, 701, 703 and 705; and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains 561, 562, 564, 565, 566, 569, 572, 763, 767, 768 and 774.
Metrolink Participates in San Fernando Valley Council of Governments’ Annual Mobility Workshop
On Thursday, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments’ (SFVCOG) Annual Mobility Workshop.
During the workshop, I shared with members about how Metrolink is important to the SFVCOG and why investment is vital to the success of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.
The workshop was an opportunity for the area’s leaders and community advocates to shape the mobility priorities for the area, especially as it relates to affordable housing and job centers.
I encouraged these leaders to support regional transportation through letters of support, partnership and funding so local residents have access to frequent, reliable rail service.