The Benefits of a Whittier Blvd. Alignment for the Metro Eastside Extension by Bart Reed The Transit Coalition P.O. Box 567 San Fernando, CA 91341-0567 (818) 367-1661 1
Introduction Metro has released the initial results of its study for an extension of the successful Eastside Gold Line. The agency chose two alignments for further study: An eastward extension along the 60 Freeway to the Montebello Town Center, and a southeasterly extension to Whittier via Garfield Ave. and Washington Blvd. The Transit Coalition, however, believes Metro is missing a major opportunity by shelving further consideration of a Whittier Blvd. alignment. This corridor already benefits from high transit use, pedestrian-friendly design and numerous job and entertainment destinations. This paper presents a discussion of the benefits of bringing rail service to this historic corridor, the supporters the project needs and the obstacles it may face. Alignments: Land Use Washington Boulevard Alignment The stretch from Garfield Avenue to Lambert Road in the City of Whittier is a barren, auto-oriented landscape that is not conducive to light-rail transit ridership. Washington Boulevard passes through the industrial districts of Commerce and Montebello. Although these type of developments may hold some jobs which can be served well by a light rail line, they are largely morning and afternoon commute-time traffic generating land uses. Thus, a light-rail line would only see major patronage during those times of day. In Pico Rivera, Washington Boulevard passes through some residential and a large commercial development. Although these may be more conducive to transit patronage, the auto-oriented nature of the commercial development would lead to minimal train usage. As Washington makes its way east, it passes through Santa Fe Springs and the industrial part of Whittier. Whittier Boulevard A better alignment Unlike Washington Boulevard, Whittier Boulevard provides a much better alternative as it contains land uses that are more conducive to transit usage. As it makes itself east from Garfield Avenue, Whittier passes through downtown Montebello, a stretch that contains many shops, restaurants, and other entertainment options that can be served by transit any time of the day. As the street goes further east into Pico Rivera, it goes through large commercial developments that also provide ample potential for rich ridership. Yet, possibly the best part of the Whittier alignment is that it would provide direct access (via Hadley Street) to Uptown Whittier, a charming shopping and entertainment district that makes the perfect end-destination for the light-rail line. Serving such a destination at its terminus (or beginning), Phase II of the Eastside Extension would guarantee strong ridership as it makes its way through the suburbs of east Los Angeles County. 2
Technical Issues Whittier Boulevard currently crosses two rivers, the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River, through two antiquated bridges, dating from the days when the street used to be part of U.S. 101. These bridges are inadequate to support light rail trains and will need to be replaced. A Whittier light rail line will also come into the vicinity of the Pío Pico State Historic Park, located near the junction with the 605 Freeway. The adobe located in this park was the final home of Pío Pico, the last Governor of California under Mexican rule. The adobe is in the National Registry of Historic Places and was extensively renovated in 2003. Consideration should be given to this property to mitigate the effects of running a light rail train near this delicate historic monument. Political Champions or Supporters Gloria Molina, LA County Supervisor, District 1 Jose Huizar, City of LA Council member, District 14 City Councils of Whittier, Montebello and Pico Rivera Stakeholders Potential Supporters of Whittier Alignment o Pico Rivera businesses along Whittier Boulevard o Whittier Uptown Association o Whittier Chamber of Commerce o Montebello Chamber of Commerce Potential Opponents of Whittier Alignment o Businesses along Whittier against street construction and associated disruption o Companies along Washington Boulevard who would be served by that alignment o City transportation departments that might be skeptical of reducing road capacity on busy Whittier Boulevard to make way for light-rail o Residential NIMBYs who do not want transit infrastructure near their homes (e.g. Beverly Timbers HOA) o Local school districts, particularly Whittier Union High School District, which operates Whittier HS on Hadley Street, who would express student safety concerns for an at-grade light rail line Other Stakeholders o Caltrans, which owns and maintains Whittier Boulevard east of the 605 Freeway as State Highway Route 72 o Whittier College, near the eastern terminus 3
Financing The Eastside Gold Line Extension is funded under Measure R to the amount of $1.27 billion. It is listed as one of the 12 projects that would be built at an accelerated pace through the proposed American Fast Forward initiative (previously known locally as the 30/10 Plan). Timeline Metro recently completed an Alternatives Analysis study and has begun preparing draft environmental documents for the 60 Freeway and Washington Boulevard alignments. Metro projects that Measure R money could be available for construction of this line in 2022. 4
Figure 1: Proposed Alignments for the Metro Eastside Extension 5
Figure 2: Washington Blvd. at Greenleaf Ave. Proposed Eastside Extension for the Washington Alignment Terminus Figure 3: Hadley Street Westbound towards Whittier Blvd. 6
Figure 4: Whittier Blvd. Westbound through downtown Montebello Figure 5: Whittier Blvd. Westbound through Pico Rivera 7
Figure 6: Washington Blvd. Eastbound towards Whittier Figure 7: Whittier Blvd. Westbound leaving Whittier, west of Hadley St. 8
Figure 8: Uptown Whittier Whittier Blvd. alignment terminus 9