A maglev train through South Gate
Yes, you read right. Last night, I was checking out the Metro 2008 Draft Long Range Transportation Plan (website here, download here [PDF]) and I found something that made me do a double-take. On page 35, there is a graph describing high priority regional projects. One of the current ones is a maglev train connecting Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Ana that would run through South Gate. Yup, through South Gate, directly connecting one of its busiest intersections (Firestone/Atlantic) directly with Downtown L.A. and Santa Ana.
Though it is a long-range and currently unfunded project, I want it built BADLY because it would directly join South Gate with Downtown L.A. (no need to take the Blue Line if I don’t want to) and Santa Ana. Also, at the corner of Atlantic and Firestone a shopping center will be built soon, the Gateway and it would serve to bring even more people to the shopping center and without the need to drive.
I created a map of the proposed project all the way to Downtown Santa Ana (the graphic says it will end in Western Santa Ana) based on the alignment presented in the image above. Once in Orange County, I followed the right of way. The right of way used once the maglev heads southeast out of Hollydale is the old Pacific Electric right of way.
I am ecstatic to see the day when I can leave my house in South Gate and go to Downtown L.A. without a bus. Let’s start building many train projects, not only in the county, but in the state. High speed trains, more commuter trains, subways, light rail in dedicated routes, a train to Las Vegas, let’s build it all. With rising gas prices, this is one of the best ways to alleviate the pressure.
Metrolink is fantastic. I take it here and there to Orange County from Union Station in downtown LA. It is pleasant, comfortable, scenic and costs less than driving and parking.
I have relatives who have lived in LA since the 1940s (most are dead now). They used to shake their heads when talking about the freeway system and say over and over again what a loss it was when the old red line street car rails were paved over or ripped up.
P. Keller
June 20, 2008 at 11:12 am
yay for public transportations.
my best friend.
hope it happens.
i like the new page.
lapopisb
June 21, 2008 at 2:39 am
Let’s start building many train projects, not only in the county, but in the state. High speed trains, more commuter trains, subways, light rail in dedicated routes, a train to Las Vegas, let’s build it all.
Two comments. One, it is not a universal good to build more public transportation. Take Amtrak as just one example, the WSJ reports:
Even New Yorks subway system has a hard time making a profit despite the fact that it is located in an area it serves best – an Island, hard to find parking, lots of commerce, etc.
Of course it would be wonderful if the government could do everything for everybody but given a world of scarce resources we have to pick what is most cost effective. Many times public transportation isn’t it.
Second, even in the areas where transportation is profitable, you still have to consider the great environmental roadblock that would be placed and the costs involved in overcoming them. You mention a train to Las Vegas…well did you know that that had already been proposed? Whats even better is that it wouldn’t have come out of our taxes…it was to be funded by the private industry and many Casinos had already committed to paying a significant portion of the cost. It would have went from Los Angeles (or was it San Diego? I cant remember) to Las Vegas. But guess what prevented it? Yep, you guessed it, the powerful environmental lobby. Apparently such a train would have damaged the ‘pristine wildlife’ that connects the cities(Thats environmentalism for you: they get to sit on their moral high horses while others pay for their decisions). It’s alot like the ANWR debate.
HispanicPundit
July 6, 2008 at 4:58 am