2021 Update on LA Metro Projects (Part 3 of 3): The Infrastructure Bill

UPDATE: Good news, everyone! The Arts District Station surprisingly just got fully-funded! It wasn't out of the programs listed in the video (so technically I was right about that, haha), but rather out of leftover money from Measure M. So it'll likely be done even sooner than my optimistic prediction in the video.
Third of a three-part series on the latest news regarding LA Metro projects as of August 2021. This video covers the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill as passed by the Senate. Yes, it's been a long time coming. Note that the reconciliation package has NOT passed the Senate yet, just advanced to the next stage, which means there's still a fight ahead.
When I'm not trying to figure out what formula funding is, I’m a documentary producer and editor. If you want to see more stuff by me that's entirely unrelated to the Metro, check out the documentary Behind the Curve (about flat-earthers and the psychology of belief) streaming on Netflix, or to rent or buy on iTunes/Amazon/Google Play. Or to see some more of my editing, check out the documentary Transhood on HBO. Currently, we’re at work on a doc about the hunt for Planet Nine, among other projects. You can find me on Twitter at @NickAndert.

[@nandert]

Hmm, first unfortunate correction - I may have mistakenly oversold the chances for Surfliner electrification - the straightening and tunnel *are* wanted by Amtrak (and will lead to faster travel times, and I saw them looking at diesel trains that can reach 110mph in addition), but the push to get electrification funded from the bill comes from san diego government officials and, so far, without buy-in from the overseeing authorities. They aren't likely to succeed without that buy-in, so we'll need to watch how that plays out. We'll see! The straightening/tunneling is still almost certain to get funded, though!

[@longpham5688]

Ya the hard part is going to be Orange County and getting its MPO on board. SANDAG San Diego's MPO has been spending millions to double track the LOSSAN corridor in the county over the years. Several bridge replacements and double tracking have been completed recently. The bottleneck is coming from the southern section of the OC as it's single track from San Clemente up until around Irvine. There is going to be heavy resistance to electrify the line since in San Clemente the tracks are literally on the beach. A new alternative route will most likely be needed to get high speed trains, which is going to be expensive and I don't think the OC will want to contribute billions to get it done.

[@jonathaneby1440]

Who do I complain to?

[@nandert]

Further, very wonderful update: The Arts District station was surprisingly just fully-funded by Metro out of remaining Measure M money, so reality turned out even better than my optimistic prediction!

[@nandert]

@@jonathaneby1440 Amtrak, I'd presume

[@freddysanders2826]

Well, better than nothing ig 😔

[@isaaclemus9124]

*Optimism Intensifies* But in all seriousness, your research, presentation, and humor is always appreciated, looking forward to what’s to come!

[@freddysanders2826]

So happy to hear about surfliner electrification!

[@ravigopinathan2835]

Yeah I wonder if the freight trains on the line are gonna be electrified to. It would be a waste if the freight trains didn't use it, but since only part of the tracks they use go from la to sd they probably will have to use diesel unless their whole network gets electrified, which needs to happen :)

[@freddysanders2826]

@@ravigopinathan2835 it would be ideal, but it would expand the scope of the project a lot and I've never heard of a class 1 actually wanting to electrify :/

[@OADINC]

19:02 I got my second shot today! Also I rewatched every video of this "Series" yesterday and was wondering when the third part would be uploaded, turns out the next day ;) Love the video's and can't wait for the future of LA. I've never been in LA before (I'm from the Netherlands). But if everything works out, I'll visit next year!

[@BayAreaTransitNews]

You deserve a billion more subscribers than you have, this is fantastic!

[@ElementalRadiation]

Thanks so much for the work you put into these videos! I live in the OC but these videos always reinvigorate my plan to move to LA without a car in the next 2 years!

[@coomtard8218]

oh shit new Nandert video just dropped

[@Katman2577]

This video series is great! It's super appreciated and it shows you've put in a lot of work into it. This doesn't seem to be your style but if you did a video on the 66B for rail and where it could potentially go, that would be epic too!

[@Katman2577]

Any thoughts? Do you think you'll do one?

[@peluso4oso]

I want to see that North Valley Line! I live so close to it and those rich people in Northridge just need to shut up. Then I want the Sepulveda project too. I work on the West Side, literally adjacent to VA hospital. And that Vermont Line has been needed for sometime. I think that would have such great potential if they connect it to Burbank. Maybe even add an LA Zoo stop. I'm sure that would not have much ridership now, but in a more connected LA in the future, it would.

[@SofaKing381222]

i agree on all your points. Sadly, LA Metro doesn't seem to be motivated by system connectivity and ridership as much as it is political push. Local organizations pushing for these projects would do wonders! That LA Zoo/Griffith station is one of my dreaaaaams.

[@williamelder6788]

Excellent video! Looking forward to both *fantasy map time* and updates on specific lines.

[@victorescobar7437]

Let's push for them to add 500 bil on top of this money because i want trains open today and hate to have to drive everywhere. Great work my dude, i honestly wish i had time to do this type of research. This puts so much information in reach.

[@HardyOh]

If/when the bill passes through the House vote and Biden signs it into law, could you make a video update on how much more funding is provided and more timeline speculation? More Optimism?!

[@nandert]

I hope to!

[@zach6867]

lol

[@knocturna9731]

Yes! I willed this into existence, lol.

[@mclarke5222]

It’s been 84 years…

[@Austin-uj4re]

I love your videos and I was anxiously awaiting for this video to happen which was well-worth the wait! Have you ever thought of doing a video on the next-gen bus network redesign? Im sure you ought to have some opinions on that. Or what about doing a video of what the next ballot measure could look like? Also also, what about video dedicated for the potential bus rapid transit lines throughout L.A. County? These are just a few ideas for future videos because I love your videos.

[@OADINC]

Or talking about each line in LA in depth, like which areas it's serves. What interesting architecture is there on the line. Basically just facts about each line.

[@SofaKing381222]

As always, thanks for this @nandert. Wonderful video. Looking forward to the next!

[@tadpetts]

Thank you for these videos man, they never disappoint

[@eedewah17]

Super Optimism: Metro and OCTA get enough funding to send the West Santa Ana Branch to Santa Ana.

[@NelsonCWoodstock]

Really hoping that Vermont line gets converted to rail and preferably a subway. I can live with at-grade light rail but an all underground LRT or HRT subway would be great and should they choose to go that route, Metro should really reconsider moving the southern terminus to the Harbor Gateway Transit Center because 1.) It's a massive bus hub serving several local and regional buses as well as Dodger Express, Galaxy Express and the J (Silver) Line BRT and 2.) Metro can punch a hole in its own gigantic parking lot to launch the TBMs.

[@Absolute_Zero7]

Vermont can probably work well as an elevated line similar to what's being planned for HRT3 in the valley, and the Vancouver Skytrain. Will reduce costs while also providing the neighbourhood with a good transit line.

[@vincentperez4653]

My top four: Los Angelist, Four Foot, RMTransit and Vanashing Underground.

[@Guerreropowerr]

Can't wait for that WSAB video. I live in Hollydale between the 105 and Gardendale station

[@Jay2646]

Is the plan for the West Santa Ana line to connect with the OC Streetcar project going on in Santa Ana? I used to take the Surfliner from Santa Ana to LA Union Station daily for work, but it was a pain to have my work schedule match up with the train schedule. Light rail that runs late at night between the two would've made my life a lot easier...

[@vincentperez4653]

OC Streetcar needs to go to Stanton. Need a branch to Buena Park.

[@nandert]

As far as I'm aware there really isn't a plan right now. I think once the WSAB is up and running there will be serious consideration of what to do to connect it to Orange County. I know the long-term plan HAD been to run it all the way to Santa Ana, and then Orange County decided to use that ROW for the streetcar instead. Presumably they can meet in the middle at some point on the ROW.

[@jonathaneby1440]

Heck yeah! It’s finally here!!

[@AdamFaruqi]

I live for these updates

[@jasonmiller9629]

What about Crenshaw North, projected to have the highest ridership per mile of any other project, linking all the east-west rail lines together and serving the densest urban areas of the entire Southern California region??

[@SofaKing381222]

needs a NEPA.

[@jayy9029]

been waiting for this one

[@raagagrawal]

Your videos are so good!

[@theexmann]

No mention of the LA Streetcar. Do you have any current information about that project? It would seem it should qualify for both local and federal funding and would be one of the least expensive transit projects in L.A. It's one of the few projects that closes that first/last mile gap for Metro considering how more and more people now live in DTLA.

[@Alejandro-vn2si]

What la streetcar?

[@nandert]

I've not seen anything written about the streetcar in ages, tbh. It doesn't seem to be particularly high up on anyone's priority list. It does have money slated from Measure M, but not to become available until 3 or so decades from now.

[@theexmann]

@@nandert Yeah., I don't understand that especially since it has local support. In fact, wasn't a local business fee passed to help fund this project? It's also the least expensive of all transit projects in L.A so it would cost much less to get this built and it could easily be done before the 2028 Olympics.

[@danielbrockerttravel]

I'm really excited about those surfliner improvements. Easily the best train experience I've ever had.

[@RZFX619]

I also love the Surfliner! I don't bother driving up to LA anymore. Wine, snacks and ocean views can't be beat!

[@jonathaneby1440]

Is there a possibility of extra funding towards the Crenshaw northern extension? Or are we too early in that process to get funding?

[@john11719]

as someone in the south bay, yeah I am getting nothing again. I wouldn't feel so left out if the stupid silver line (or whatever letter it is) was a train but noOooo... Maybe when I am so old I can't walk anymore there will be one near me

[@chrisabella2780]

WAKE UP BABE NEW NANDERT VIDEO JUST DROPPED

[@GDImperiaI]

What Font Did You Use, Also I Love The Videos ❤️

[@jamestucker8088]

10 years to go before the C line extension to Torrance is done. That is depressing. The train station in Torrance looks like it could be finished next year. I was hoping the line would be done much sooner.

[@HPfrk321]

This is an amazing and timely breakdown. Thank you! Side note: was the Noho to Pasadena line missing a station? Thought there was gonna be a stop on Colorado / Figueroa.

[@nandert]

There's not one listed on the map for the chosen route in the alternative analysis. Doesn't mean a stop couldn't be added though. Adding stops due to public support is common, and presumably easier with BRT.

[@nandert]

There IS a figueroa stop on a route that wasn't chosen, that would mostly travel just on the 134 and hop off for a stop on Fig. That could be what you're thinking of.

[@erikkrauss8481]

U and the 4 foot need to collaborate lol

[@davydawgdawg]

could you do another video like this for the high speed rail?

[@ArtamStudio]

"I will be 70" LOL

[@jpla1886]

If Metro completes all of the projects that you highlighted by 2028 to 2031, how many miles of rail would it add to L.A.'s current 97.6 miles?

[@dancingwiththestars3778]

Extend The West Santa Ana Branch To John Wayne Airport, Huntington and Newport Beach and South Beach In Orange County

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

Issues with that 1: Metro is the LACMTA and gets its funding from LA County 2: No ROW exists for a large part of the route

[@theexmann]

Talk to your representatives in Orange County. These are all LA County projects funded in part by residents in the county. Orange County needs to do that same. That's not up to LA Country.

[@melbatoast667]

Ugh, more intra-city trains please. But I guess more trains in the middle of nowhere, and less making this city easier to navigate.

[@navaa13]

i know you're like an actual professional editor but is it achievable for a somewhat regular person to edit a video like this? aka what do you use to design/edit?

[@nandert]

The editing part is pretty simple, actually - I use premiere for that. The animation is a little more complicated usually and has a higher learning curve, though the type of animation present in this video - graphs and such, as opposed to my metro map animations - is pretty simple, as animations go. I use photoshop and after effects for that - designing the graphic in photoshop with different animation elements on different layers, and then just moving them around in after effects. I'd say that stuff only requires a pretty basic understanding of each program, which you can get from tutorials. Some of the metro map stuff i do is more complicated, though.

[@NelsonCWoodstock]

Do you think it's possible Sepulveda North could get Olympics money if they go with the P3 suggestion to phase off the elevated portion and open just that by 2028 while the tunneled portion continues to get done?

[@nandert]

That is actually a possibility, especially since Bechtel noted that it could be phased as such. If they DO decide to phase it that way, they could probably still get that first phase done in 2028 even without the Olympics money, leaving that money for other projects. The P3 should cover hopefully a decent portion of the shortfall, and then the line will probably vacuum up federal money with little issue. Metro may want to strategize and put that Olympics money toward projects that aren't as sure bets for federal funds.

[@OADINC]

@@nandert What would they do with the track that they already have constructed then? I mean as long as they are still tunneling and building the "new" track they can use the "old" track. But then they either have to decide to put in a switch (very expensive for monorail) on either side so they can use the "old" track and the "new" track or just to demolish the "old" section. Also this would necessitate the closure of the entire line (not entire but the part that really matters) for a significant period because installing monorail switches is hard. Leaving the old section could add the option of having express trains. But the time saving on this "shortcut" alone is minimal I think you said 2 minutes in part2?

[@nandert]

@@OADINC I'm confused, could you clarify what you mean by 'old' and 'new' tracks? What the first poster was referring to was Bechtel's heavy rail plan -- the line will be elevated north of the santa monica mountains, and underground south of them. They plan on building the elevated portion first, which will also connect to the maintenance facility, which means they can run an minimum operating segment between Van Nuys Metrolink and Sepulveda/Ventura, even while they continue to build out the rest of the line south of it.

[@OADINC]

@@nandert I'm sorry I misread it. I thought he suggested building the byd without the tunnel/UCLA part. And then after the Olympics building that section. So then you would have the direct (old) and tunnel (new) route

[@gdrriley420]

I get why the NEC gets so much money given they keep pulling every bit of money earned to prop up other sections but it feels like Amtrak CA is mostly forgotten about while holding the 3rd and 4th busiest lines

[@G-546]

I think that all of the gold line extensions to the foothills are bad. And instead the San Bernardino line should have been electrified and double tracked

[@HSMiyamoto]

The Union Station south approach tracks could revolutionize Metrolink and Surfliner, with LAUS capacity effectively doubled at a stroke. Maybe you could guess how Metrolink might through-route their trains in the future?

[@snoopyloopy]

several notes. first, it looks like you skipped another important program here at the state level: tircp. it will be the vehicle for moving out some of the budget surplus funds, but it also gets funds from cap-and-trade and while we don't know for certain how much money that is going to be bringing in, the drop from the pandemic has already rebounded and that drop also had the unintended effect of leading to an early exit of some surplus credits which should mean rising prices at future auctions. speaking of the surplus, the money for the cahsr program is (unfortunately) not coming out of it, the legislature would just be authorizing the sale of the rest of the bonds that voters approved via prop. 1a. finally, it's asinine that c line extension to the norwalk metrolink/surfliner/future hsr station isn't a higher priority. that really needs to be on the olympics list, though i suspect it's already too late to meet that target. finally, electrifying lossan would be a good way for socal to wrangle money out of the cahsr program, but first they need to finish the environmental work for the segment to anaheim.

[@nandert]

Thanks for brining TIRCP to my attention! I'll look more closely at it.

[@taerow]

I agree on the extension to Norwalk. As a San Diego resident, this connection would be huge for getting to lax on public transit or attending Olympic events. This seems like one of the biggest gaps in the system at the moment. It would open up everything from the south.

[@snoopyloopy]

@@taerow yes, especially once Crenshaw line opens, it would make getting to all sorts of places around SoCal so much easier. Disneyland might even be able to end their shuttles.

[@theexmann]

BTW, why are you so pessimistic on the East LA Gold line extension? It's much further along in the review process than many of the other projects you are more positive about. The final route has already been approved after years of discussions, and it's supported by all the local cities the line will be running through. Not only support by local city governments, but by the residents too. It has huge support. And as you said, Metro is giving it high priority to complete it by 2028. I've attended many of the public meetings.

[@nandert]

For me the main reasons are that first, Metro has seemed to place it behind WSAB and Sepulveda in priority, and so have been focusing on accelerating those before anything else; they decided to halt NEPA, making it ineligible for federal funds for the time being, which forces it to rely on state or local funds for acceleration - and when they can fully fund several 'easy wins' out of state funds like claremont/montclair extensions, along with the WSAB shorfall, it just feels like money might run out before they get down to the gold line. That said, this is just my opinion, and the arts district station just got fully funded out of purely local money an hour ago contrary to my expectations, so I could be totally wrong!

[@Brianrockrailfan]

liked video

[@anoopnanda2681]

Hey, do you a patreon or something? would love to contribute, these videos are great

[@jwolder2g]

Any news on metro's list of additional BRT corridors? (The ones that measure M included funding for one additional line per decade) Any potential federal or state funding that could get us "quick build" BRT on Venice, La Cienega, and Sunset sooner than "decades" from now?

[@nandert]

I haven't seen anything, but tbh i haven't looked too closely either - come to think of it, though, you're right, those could get state money as they'll be pretty cheap (they're not really full BRT) and could count as 'easy wins' for Metro. I'll keep an eye out in case Metro submits them for state funds.

[@gbalph4]

Hopefully Surfliner goes to ARTIC in Anaheim so that I can take the train to SD.

[@davydawgdawg]

Looking forward to part 4 when the BBB does whatever its gonna do...

[@Alejandro-vn2si]

Talk more about california high speed rail and metro more common.

[@albertcarello7328]

2053 The Pandemic will be devastating and will cancel everything!!!! No hope for the Pandemic will never end ever.

[@77Catguy]

If the massive amount of money spent on the high speed rail project results--realistically--in a "Bay Area to Bakersfield" project, at least within the lifetime of our great grandchildren, then I hope we all pressure our Socal state representatives to play hardball and not fund it until Socal projects get a proportionate amount of funding. I'm sick and tired of the Bay Area getting far more than its share of state funding on almost everything and Socal needs only addressed as an afterthought.