Construction churns on with full street closures along Crenshaw/LAX line



Construction for the metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd.

Construction for the metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd.

Street closures, which include some that stretch into the night, are continuing along the route of the Crenshaw/LAX line as the city constructs multiple tunnels for the project. Construction on this area is beginning on Friday.

The 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX rail line is one of 12 projects funded by Measure R, the half-cent sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2008 to pay for transportation projects and improvements.

The project is slated to be completed in 2019 and have eight stations.

Metro says road closures could branch into two weekends in October.

Here is the information about the street closures:

  • Crenshaw Boulevard between Coliseum Street and Exposition Boulevard will be completely closed. 
  • In addition,on the east side of Crenshaw Boulevard at the north side of Rodeo Road
  • All of Crenshaw Blvd. will be closed between 48th and 43rd streets. Vernon Avenue between Crenshaw Blvd. and Leimert Avenue will also be closed from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. this weekend and next weekend.
  • A detour will redirect north and southbound traffic around the center of Crenshaw Blvd. between 59th and 67th streets. 
  • La Cienega Boulevard at Florence Avenue will be closed at night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Monday.
  • La Brea Ave. will close down on the weekdays from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Sunday, Oct. 6.

 

Crenshaw/LAX light rail construction to expand road closure



Construction for the metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd.

Construction for the metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd. (April 2014)

The final phase of the Crenshaw/LAX line construction will close down roads around Crenshaw Boulevard and Vernon Street starting June 7.

Excavation and decking for the underground Crenshaw/Vernon station of the newest Metro line will be taking place. [Read more…]

Vergee’s Palace de Bella Donna hair salon prepares for Leimert Park changes



Vergee’s Palace de Bella Donna is one of several small businesses concerned that the expansion of Metro’s Crenshaw/LAX line will drive them out of business. The hair salon is a cultural icon in the predominantly African-American neighborhood of Leimert Park. Owner Vergie Huddleston has been there for several decades and says construction of the line would not only endanger her business but also many others in the area.

Huddleston has led many apprentices to become hair stylists and has also raised foster children. She says the most important thing in her life is to continue doing just that, fulfilling her mission to help the many young people who seek her guidance to succeed. And of course, to pass on the legacy of her unique way of hairstyling.

 

Read more about Leimert Park on Intersections: 

Leimert Park art renaissance in bloom at Papillion gallery

Metro’s Crenshaw/LAX line brings promise of jobs, revitalization to South LA

Leimert Park envisions the neighborhood in 2020

Leimert Park Phone Company debuts reinvented pay phones