LA Metro to Provide Shuttle Service During Construction

To help support businesses affected by planned construction activities related to the Regional Connector Transit Project, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced it will provide a free shuttle bus, free validated parking and other measures for the Little Tokyo district in downtown Los Angeles beginning Dec. 5.

Construction is set to begin at 9 p.m. Dec. 4, to excavate the intersection of 1st Street and Alameda Avenue to prepare for the arrival of a tunnel boring machine to construct the underground Regional Connector. The Little Tokyo/Arts District Gold Line station will be closed during construction, which is expected to last for three months. During that time, a free bus service will link Union Station and the Pico/Aliso Gold Line Station, through the Little Tokyo area. There will be multiple street closures and detours.

“We understand the difficulties this closure will pose to the Little Tokyo business community, which is why we’re committed to doing all we can to lessen the impact,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “This was a tough call to do the work now, but it allows the project to take advantage of construction efficiencies to prevent future cost increases and minimizes region-wide impacts to Gold Line riders.”

To help local businesses during the important holiday shopping season, Metro will create a free Little Tokyo/Arts District Shuttle with four stops that will move people on a set route seven days per week from 10 a.m. – midnight. The Little Tokyo/Arts District shuttle will operate through completion of construction,

In addition, Metro will sponsor a parking validation program encouraging drivers to come into Little Tokyo to do their holiday shopping and to explore the destination. The program provides two hours of free parking at three locations along the shuttle route.

Metro has also created a Business Interruption Fund (BIF) to help business owners who have been impacted by construction activity. Additional BIF counselors are being assigned to help owners with applications and payments will be expedited.

Metro also supplies marketing support through the Little Tokyo Community Council and the campaign Go Little Tokyo encouraging the public to explore Little Tokyo as a destination. Eat, Shop, Play Little Tokyo continues to be a critical component of the focus on small businesses in the vital district. Also, Metro has partnered with the Little Tokyo Service Center engaging the services of the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program to provide business assistance out of the Metro Little Tokyo Community Office. 

Metro’s contractor, RCC, has committed to extend work shifts from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. to finish the job as quickly as possible, conduct quiet work from 11 p.m. – 6 a.m., position 21 variable message signs to route visitors into and through Little Tokyo, and station trained flaggers to assist motorists visiting Little Tokyo. 

Beginning construction at 1st Street and Alameda Avenue on Dec. 4 means that all work in the Little Tokyo area will be completed in time for the scheduled March 5, opening of the Metro Gold Line Foothill extension, giving the region a fully functional light rail system from Azusa to East Los Angeles. Also, the intersection will be prepped for excavation for the Regional Connector.

The Regional Connector Transit Project completes a 1.9-mile segment between the Metro Blue and Expo Lines and the Metro Gold Line by providing a direct connection with three new stations planned for 1st Street/Central Avenue, 2nd Street/Broadway and 2nd Place/Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles. The rail line, expected to be completed in 2020, will attract nearly 17,000 new daily riders and provide access to more than 88,000 passengers saving commuters up to 20 minutes off their daily commutes. It will provide a one-seat, one fare ride for commuters from Azusa to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica without the need to transfer between rail lines for major east/west and north/south trips.