Expo Line meeting fails to assuage public concern
Michael Green | 2-2-2010 | Comments |
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A community meeting revealed that the construction of the Exposition Light Rail Transit Line has caused a bumpy ride for many locals. Held at Holman United Methodist Church on Adams Boulevard on Jan. 27, the meeting aimed to update residents about status of the line.
Tables set up across the church’s function room highlighted the many aspects of construction. But community members gathered in small groups away from the tables, expressing several concerns.
“I think they needed to take more time, get more input from stakeholders, from the community, from the schools in the community, [and] from person’s businesses,” said Baldwin Vista resident Connye Thomas.
The Expo Line has faced several setbacks since construction began in October 2006. The original $640 million budget for the new light rail line most recently inflated to $868 million.
The initial goal for finishing construction during the first quarter of 2010 has been pushed back to early 2011.
“I think it will be a great project when it’s all done,” said Rick Felkins. “It’s going to freshen up the area.But many community members who live near the Exposition Light Rail conveyed uncertainty that the end justifies the means.
“I was grieving about the construction,” said Everlean Jackson, 70, who has lived off of Exposition Boulevard for 41 years. “Because I felt like they wouldn’t put this in the middle of Rodeo Drive. It’s just in our community that they’d put up a train going in the middle of the street like that.”
Because of noise complaints, authorities recently revoked a 24-hour construction permit for the project.
As a result, present construction can only take place between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Several residents complained about debris coming from the construction, which stretches from Culver City to Downtown Los Angeles.
“It’s the dust from the train and the fact that this dust will affect the lungs. And then, when you wash your car, it’s dirty the next day,” said Jackson.
The project has also forced several road closures near the construction sites. Notification was recently given about the temporary closure of Vermont Avenue at the intersection of Exposition Boulevard Feb. 5 through Feb. 8. But some residents said that they are not receiving such notices.“The other night I came down Arlington, going to Rodeo. [I] came all the way down Arlington going south, and the street is blocked,” said Thomas. “Nobody said the street was going to be blocked.
In fact, many residents felt their complaints were not being heard at all, despite their presence at the community meetings.
“They come up with this cute, little slick way of have these meetings and they give their presentation page after page after page,” said Thomas. “But they don’t say, ‘Are there any questions? Do you have any concerns?’”
Map Credit: Creative Commons
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