JULY 30, 2021

TO: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FROM: STEPHANIE N. WIGGINS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

THROUGH: JAMES T. GALLAGHER CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

SUBJECT: TO 7TH ST/METRO CENTER TIE-IN WORK RESULTING IN TEMPORARY WEEKEND SERVICE DISRUPTIONS & FREE BUS SHUTTLE SERVICE

ISSUE

Metro will be connecting the A Line (Blue) and E Line (Expo) to the Regional Connector project, and rail service will be temporarily suspended at 7th St/Metro Center and Pico Station for ten weekends. The contractor will need to work on both Light Rail tracks and temporarily shut off power in the construction work zone. The first service disruption will begin on Friday, July 30 at 9 p.m. through Monday, August 2 at 3 a.m. The last closure is currently scheduled for Friday, October 29 at 9 p.m. through Sunday, October 31 at 3 a.m.

During this period, a free bus shuttle, Line 859, will replace train service to maintain transit service to all impacted stations between 7th St/Metro Center, Pico Station, Grand/LATTC Station and LATTC/Ortho Institute Station. There will be no impact to B Line (Red) and D Line (Purple) service. A comprehensive public outreach and communications plan has been implemented to ensure customers are informed of the construction activity and supported through the service interruption.

DISCUSSION

The construction of the Regional Connector project requires a partial closure of the A and E Lines where they share a track North of Grand (A) and LATTC/Ortho (E). Many of the tie-in activities including connecting the physical track have been completed for the Regional Connector project under single tracking during nights and weekends to minimize the impact to Metro customers and stakeholders. The upcoming work will require a closure of the 7th St/Metro Center light rail platforms, due to the need to shut down power in the area due to safety requirements. This work will include connecting systems such as the overhead catenary rail, signal, and train control systems. In addition, these closures will be used to accomplish various tasks within the right-of-way that would have otherwise required additional track allocation time and possible disruptions to service. These tasks include traction power electrification maintenance, track welds, landscaping and tree trimming, station tile cleaning, graffiti abatement, and station painting. After the first three weekend closures, the A Line’s bus shuttle will be extended out to Washington Station to allow for additional critical preventative maintenance work along the A Line. This work will be completed over ten weekends that were strategically chosen to cause the least amount of service disruption based on other scheduled events in the area.

Operations The A and E Lines will undergo temporary service suspensions for ten (10) weekends:  A Line: 7th St/Metro Center to Grand for weeks 1-3, and 7th St/Metro Center to Washington Station for weeks 4-10  E Line: 7th St/Metro Center to LATTC/Ortho for weeks 1-10  Line 859 will replace train service between 7th St/Metro Center, Pico Station, Grand/LATTC Station and LATTC/Ortho Institute Station  J Line (Silver), LADOT Dash F, and will continue to provide service at the affected stations

B (Red) and D (Purple) Lines will remain open during the closures of the light rail platform. Service to the B and D lines will be uninterrupted, and the 7th St/Metro Center will remain open and available for customers to access the subway, including elevator and escalators. During these weekend closures, regular A and E Line service will continue from Long Beach to Grand Station and Santa Monica to LATTC/Ortho Station with current headways (12 minutes prior to 8 p.m. and 20 minutes after 8 p.m.).

System, Security & Law Enforcement (SSLE) Security personnel will be provided to ensure the safety and security of customers, employees and assets. Metro Transit Security will perform vehicle patrols of closed rail stations to address any trespassing during the closures and work with law enforcement to remove trespassers, if needed. In addition, Security guards will be located near platforms and shuttle pick-ups.

Communications Communications has implemented a Communications Work Plan to ensure the public and all internal and external stakeholders are notified of the closure, and customers are supported throughout the construction. This includes posts on The Source and El Pasajero, news releases and sharing the information through

Regional Connector- 7th St/Metro Center Tie-In Work Resulting in Temporary Weekend Service Disruptions & Free Bus Shuttle Service 2 social media alerts. Information about Metro’s free bus shuttle service has been provided via Metro’s web and social media platforms, door-to-door notices, and maps illustrating where shuttle stops will be located.

Metro’s Customer Information Agents and other personnel will be deployed throughout the closed stations to provide support to the customers. The staff in the field is in addition to the wayfinding signage that has been installed and will be up for each of the closures. The new wayfinding signage will guide the customers on where to make their connections to the bus/rail. Communications will monitor feedback regarding signage and customer information and make adjustments to our communication plan as necessary. At the stations, in addition to the visual guides on the Transit Passenger Information Signs (TPIS), automated recordings will play at the stations to update customers on the closure. Finally, Operator personnel have been provided a script to read at each station to help advise the customers of the shuttle service and where to go.

NEXT STEPS

Operations will continue to work with Regional Connector project team, Communications, SSLE, and external partners to ensure customers are able to safely travel throughout the Metro system. Operations Maintenance & Engineering teams will make use of the required closure and work within the closed areas to accelerate preventative maintenance/State of Good Repair (SGR) work.

ATTACHMENT – Map & Line 859 Information

Regional Connector- 7th St/Metro Center Tie-In Work Resulting in Temporary Weekend Service Disruptions & Free Bus Shuttle Service 3 ATTACHMENT A

ATTACHMENT A