July 9, 2001
CONTACT: 
Ed Scannell/Marc Littman
MTA MEDIA RELATIONS
(213) 922-2703/922-2700 www.mta.net/press/pressroom
e-mail: mediarelations@mta.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Blue Line 7^th St./Metro Center/Julian Dixon Station 
Reconstruction To Begin July 16

• Lengthening Of Metro Blue Line ‘Tail Track’ To 
  Accommodate Three-Car Trains

Versión en español
(Los Angeles) - MTA is set to begin reconstruction of the Metro Blue Line 7^th St./Metro Center/Julian Dixon Station in downtown Los Angeles, the northern terminus of the Metro Blue Line, to accommodate three-car trains. The ability to operate an extra car will increase the available capacity on the Metro Blue Line and reduce passenger crowding during times of the day when the line typically operates at, or above, capacity.

Work will get underway July 16, 2001, to move the Metro Blue Line train crossover, located north of the station platforms, closer to the platforms. The relocation of the crossover will, in effect, lengthen the ‘tail track,’ which extends beyond the crossover. The current length of the Metro Blue Line tail track does not allow for a three-car train arriving on one track to be positioned on the opposite track for the return trip south, as is now the usual procedure for two-car trains during weekday rush hours.

MTA will make every effort to minimize any inconvenience to passengers during construction, which may include slight delays in the arrival and departure of Metro Blue Line trains. In addition, television monitors will direct passengers in English and in Spanish to the appropriate platform (either platform 1 or platform 2) for the next departing Metro Blue Line train.

On weekdays, Metro Blue Line trains will depart the 7^th St./Metro Center Station from both platforms on an alternating basis between 5 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

During the remainder of the service day, and on Saturdays and Sundays, Metro Blue Line trains will depart from their usual location, platform 2, located on the Figueroa Street side of the station.

A total of 21 monitors will be in operation at the station, 16 on the Metro Red Line platform and five on the Metro Blue Line platforms.

Access to the 7^th St./Metro Center/Julian Dixon Station will not be affected during construction, which is expected to last approximately 13 weeks. All stairways and elevators will remain operational, and Metro Rail representatives will be stationed on both the Metro Blue Line and Metro Red Line platforms to assist passengers. In addition, printed signs will identify the two Metro Blue Line tracks by number and other signs will direct passengers to the two platforms.

New Metro Blue Line timetables, effective at the start of construction, will become available one week prior. Passengers are advised to add a few minutes to their usual travel time during the construction period in the event of any delays or if it becomes necessary for the MTA to position their train on the opposite track at the 7^th St./Metro Center/Julian Dixon Station for departure.

The cost of the project is $1,237,885. The work is expected to be completed in October 2001.

Metro Rail consists of the 17.4-mile Metro Red Line subway and two light rail lines, the 22-mile Metro Blue Line and the 20-mile Metro Green Line. Currently, Metro Rail has a combined ridership of approximately 210,000 average weekday boardin gs.

MTA-099

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