November 17, 2004
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José Ubaldo/Marc Littman
Metro MEDIA RELATIONS
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension Project Keeps Moving Forward on First Street

The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension construction project is underway with several activities that will take place during November such as demolition of buildings for the Soto Station, drilling pre-grout injection holes prior to tunneling, and relocation of power poles and tree removal.

Property Demolition

Demolition of Metro-acquired properties near First and Soto Streets will take place until the end of the month. Work hours are Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For safety purposes, pedestrian traffic will be rerouted to the north side of First Street. Any hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos were safely removed and materials from the demolition are transported in dump trucks to designated landfills or recycling sites as appropriate.

Drill of Pre-Grout Injection Holes

The drilling of pre-grout injection holes for the tunnel alignment is taking place at strategic locations along First Street and intersections at Soto, Breed, Fickett, Saratoga, Evergreen, Dacotah, Concord, Saint Louis, State and Bailey. Working hours are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is done as part of preparatory work prior to tunneling. The work includes one drill mounted on the back of a truck and drilling down to tunnel level at various points along the alignment. Expect traffic detours and parking restrictions on the south side of First Street.

Power Pole Relocation and Tree Removal

The Department of Water and Power is relocating power poles from the north side of First Street to the south side of the street between Fresno and Cheesbroughs. This is for the future widening on First Street to allow for construction of the East Portal. Also, along the same stretch, trees are being removed to accommodate the construction of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension. Work hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parking restrictions will apply during tree removal hours. Residents and their guests can park their vehicles from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Metro lot on the northeast corner of First and Lorena Streets. After 5 p.m. cars can park again on First Street.

Metro is careful to remove only the trees necessary to build the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension project. Trees will be restored prior to completion of the light rail project.

The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension is a six-mile light rail now under construction it will feature eight stations, two underground, from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles via the Arts District/Little Tokyo and Boyle Heights to Atlantic/Pomona Boulevards in East Los Angeles, it is forecasted to open late in 2009.

METRO-197

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