L.A. Metro approves $30 million for pedestrian crossing improvements along Blue Line

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board late last week approved a $30 million budget for a project to add pedestrian gates on both sides of the tracks at 27 intersections along the Blue Line.

The installation of pedestrian gates and emergency exit swing gates at those locations is expected to provide similar safety performance as the agency's other light-rail grade crossings, Metro officials said in a staff report.

The project is separate from other ongoing improvements on the rail line, including station renovations, reworking sections of track and overhead wire, and adding new light-rail vehicles, according to the agency's blog "The Source."

Additionally, the board approved a $17.8 million contract with Gruen Associates to design the Aviation/96th Street Station that will be located along the Crenshaw/LAX Line and serve as the transfer point to the automated people mover at Los Angeles International Airport.