One of three new underground light-rail stations
The county Metropolitan Transportation Authority broke ground on the project Tuesday as bulldozers posed in front of old brick buildings in Little Tokyo set for demolition to make way for one of three new underground light-rail stations.
Funded by federal, state and county sales tax dollars, the Regional Connector ties together the separate Blue, Gold and Expo lines, making far-flung commutes easier, faster and in most cases, transfer-free. For example, a rider who hops on the Blue Line in Long Beach would be able to reach Old Pasadena without leaving his or her seat, said Metro spokesman Rick Jager. Likewise, when Metro finishes the under-construction Expo Line, a rider from Santa Monica would reach East L.A. without leaving his or her seat.
Riders that combine a north-south train with and east-west train may still have to transfer, Jager explained, but the Regional Connector train will shave time off those train trips as well.
Men and women pounded taiko drums as an introduction to a ceremony held in a white tent adjacent to the existing Gold Line station in Little Tokyo. Actor George Takei, famous for playing Hikaru Sulu on “Star Trek,” and who introduced the dignitaries, is a long-time Angeleno with roots in downtown.
“Today, we boldly go where no transit agency has gone before as we go under Little Tokyo,” he said, borrowing a line from the iconic sci-fi franchise.