LACMTA Board proceeds with environmental study to allow trains dual entry at Union Station

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Alternative Two to build run through tracks at Los Angeles Union Station will undergo more environmental analysis.
LACMTA

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors is moving forward with an environmental study that will look into building run through tracks at Union Station.

The Link Union Station project would expand the station’s passenger concourse with retail and passenger amenities; reconfigure the station entry tracks or “throat,” as well as the elevation of the rail yard, run-through tracks and loop track.

The board approved a more intensive environmental study of Alternative Two for the project, which would construct run-through tracks for Union Station to allow trains to enter the station from both the north and south — presently trains can only enter from the north. Alternative Two also involves bringing high-speed rail and West Santa Ana Branch into the platform part of Union Station. The board also approved a motion to study a less expensive version of Alternative Two that would not include an expanded concourse under the tracks.

LACMTA said the project would increase capacity for commuter rail and Amtrak and speed up the time it takes trains to enter and exit the station. However, with current project estimates coming in at $2.75 billion, LACMTA staff said significant funding would need to be secured to build the project.

 

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