It’s no secret that population growth has been rising in the United States for years, but our nation’s infrastructure, especially public transportation, has been neglected. California is no exception, and in fact is trying to play catch up by introducing new transportation upgrades throughout the state. Major projects are already under way in both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
San Francisco
Over the past several decades, San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area have experienced massive economic booms from large technology and pharmaceutical companies moving into the area. Public transportation has become such an issue that many firms offer their own busing systems to get employees to and from work. Whether it be pedestrian pathways, public highways, or the public metro system, commuters have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of infrastructural improvements. This has pushed local governments to finally green light some exciting new projects that should help address these issues:
Central Subway Project
At an estimated $1.6 billion project cost, this new metro line is scheduled to open by January 2020. This subway renovation has been going on for 9 years, and has been causing increased traffic throughout downtown San Francisco. Once completed, this line will be able to bring passengers from the Caltrain terminal on 4th St. all the way to the Washington St Station. This project has involved a lot of underground construction work, which includes the use of light compaction equipment, generators, and concrete finishing equipment.
BART Extension to San Jose
Once the first 10 mile extension of the BART system is finished later this year, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority will begin to build out stops into downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. This extension will start from the Berryessa/north San Jose station portion of the BART, where current construction will be completed hopefully in 2019. This 2nd phase of the project is still in search of funding, but is tentatively scheduled to be completed by 2026. This project has involved a lot of underground construction work, which includes the use of light compaction equipment, generators, and concrete finishing equipment.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles in known for many things: movies, fashion, the Lakers, and yes, insane traffic. If there was ever a city that needed a give its streets and highways a literal and metaphoric “breath of fresh air”, its Los Angeles. The Olympics are coming in 2028, and the city is doing what it can to try and be ready for the massive influx of visitors. The current goal is for visitors to be able to, “find that they can ride the train to LAX, hop aboard the subway to Urban Light, and cruise straight from Santa Monica to East Los Angeles via light rail”, by the time the Olympic torch is lit.
Crenshaw Line Extension
Construction on this project was originally expected to be completed Fall of 2019, however it is looking more like the project will wrap up early 2020. This is an 8.5 mile extension that will connect the Expo Line to the Green Line, and eventually go all the way to LAX airport.
LAX Automated People Mover
A solution to help relieve some of the congestion around one of the world’s busiest airports, the Automated People Mover at LAX will connect pedestrians from the Crenshaw and Green Lines to the broader Metro rail network. It is currently scheduled for a 2023 delivery date. This project has involved a lot of above ground railway construction work, which includes the use of light compaction equipment, generators, and concrete finishing equipment.
