PALMS (CNS) – One of the first major construction projects for the
extension of Expo Line tracks to Santa Monica will begin next week, as
construction begins on a replacement for a decades-old railroad overpass, Metro
officials said.

The old Southern Pacific rail bridge over National Boulevard in Palms is
one of two single-track overpasses that must be torn out and replaced with a
modern double-track bridge. The other is at Motor Avenue.

Starting Monday, crews will restripe the intersections of National
Boulevard at Manning Avenue and at Exposition Boulevard. Traffic on the
westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway offramp to National will also be realigned,
Metro officials said.

Some left turns at those intersections will be prohibited during the
year-long construction project. ASome traffic lanes will also be temporarily
closed, a construction notice stated.

Metro officials pledged to monitor and reduce excessive noise and dust,
and said access to local businesses at the busy intersections will be
maintained.

The $1.5 billion Expo Line extension, scheduled for completion in 2015,
will allow light rail trains to travel from downtown Los Angeles past the
current terminus, in Culver City, to downtown Santa Monica. Construction is
also underway on the “Regional Connector” which will extend the Expo and Blue
lines under the L.A. Civic Center to allow through-train service to Pasadena
and east Los Angeles.

MTA estimates that 64,000 people will use the 15.2 mile Expo Line daily
once it is completed.

Some residents have sued to force trains to be carried on new viaducts
over some streets in West Los Angeles, but the state Court of Appeak ruled
against that. The state Supreme Court has accepted the case for review.

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