LA Metro begins replacing 20 aging traction power substations on Blue Line

February 14, 2001 Los Angeles Metro has begun to replace 20 aging traction power substations and electrical support systems on the Metro Blue Line with a grant of $71 million provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

A total of 771 jobs will
be generated during the life of the project, which is expected to be completed
by July 2014. The project will ensure that the Metro Blue Line will have
reliable power to continue serving as a busy transportation lifeline between
downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach. On an average weekday, the Metro Blue Line
carries more than 76,000 boarding passengers. The line will mark its 20^th
anniversary of operation on July 14.

"This federal investment
will put hundreds of Californians to work while improving service for riders on
the Metro Blue Line," said United States Senator Barbara Boxer.

The installation of the
first of 20 substations – each weighing 83 tons or 166,000 pounds — along the
22-mile rail alignment took place at 1945 Long Beach Blvd. adjacent to the
Metro Blue Line Washington Station just south of downtown Los Angeles.

Each of the new substations
will consume approximately five percent less energy than the existing power
substations. The first new generator was hoisted in halves by a crane from a
staging area adjacent to the Metro Blue Line Washington Station in two phases.