LACMTA TBM for Regional Connector Project breaks through

Written by Maggie Lancaster, assistant editor
image description
Juan Ocampo/LACMTA

Four months after its launch in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Regional Connector Transit Project tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through the underground wall of the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill station.

The TBM, named Angeli, was lowered into the ground near the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station at 1st and Central last winter and began digging the twin tunnels in early February. In late April, the TBM completed digging through the Historic Broadway Station at 2nd and Broadway on its way to 2nd Place and Hope.

“The dream of connecting the Metro Rail system to the entire region is now becoming a reality with Angeli poised to continue her mission of completing the tunneling to 4th Street and Flower in a few months,” said LACMTA Board Chair John Fasana. “Today’s milestone speaks volumes in completing this important work.”

The $1.75-billion Regional Connector Transit Project is a 1.9-mile underground light-rail tunnel that will connect the Blue, Expo and Gold Lines in downtown Los Angeles and will include three new stations at 1st Street/Central Avenue, 2nd Street/ Broadway and 2nd Place/Hope Street. The rail line is expected to serve 88,000 riders daily – including 17,000 new riders – and save commuters up to 20 minutes by reducing the need to transfer when traveling to and through downtown L.A. Construction is expected to be complete in 2021.

LACMTA contracted with Regional Connector Constructors (RCC), a joint venture between Skanska and Traylor Brothers, Inc., to design and build the Regional Connector Transit Project.
“RCC is pleased with the safety performance and progress made to date,” said Greg Zwiep, deputy project manager for RCC. “Everyone involved takes pride in the work they are doing to improve upon our transportation system and bridge the gap in downtown Los Angeles.”

Tags: