| Subject: |
|
Thousands board trains to avoid freeway |
| Name: |
|
AV Press |
| Date Posted: |
|
Oct 16, 07 - 4:23 PM |
| Email: |
|
jkoren@avpress.com |
| Where are you from? |
|
Antelope Valley |
| Message: |
|
Thousands board trains to avoid freeway
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Tuesday, October 16, 2007.
By JAMES RUFUS KOREN
Valley Press Staff Writer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of commuters who usually drive into the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles boarded trains instead Monday, out of fear that a fiery weekend big rig pileup on Interstate 5 would snarl workday traffic.
But most lanes of Interstate 5 reopened through the Newhall Pass before dawn Monday, at least a day earlier than expected, though truck lanes were still closed as officials from Caltrans and other agencies investigated the structural stability of an interchange tunnel in which more than 30 vehicles collided Friday night and caught fire.
"I was out there at about noon, and everything was peachy-keen," Caltrans spokeswoman Judy Gish said Monday. Interstate 5's early reopening was a result of hard work and good luck, Gish said.
"The firefighters worked really, really hard, and they took care of the fire and they gave us the road back by 6 a.m. (Sunday)," Gish said. "We had two major contracts in place nearby, working on other projects … and they were able to come right to the scene with materials and equipment."
Contractors used steel girders to shore up the ceiling of the truck tunnel, which runs beneath Interstate 5's other traffic lanes. While regular traffic lanes were open Monday, the truck lanes that go through the tunnel remain closed, which could cause congestion, Gish said.
"We expect traffic as usual except that on the southbound I-5, the trucks don't have access to the truck lanes, so that might produce congestion," she said.
Metrolink ridership was up by approximately 50% Monday on the Antelope Valley line, which averages more than 7,100 riders a day.
"It was less than we were expecting, but we were also expecting the freeway to be totally shut down," spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell said.
Tyrrell said all trains on the Antelope Valley line, which runs from Lancaster to Union Station in Los Angeles, had at least two extra cars Monday. Metrolink added two additional trains between Union Station and the Via Princessa station in Santa Clarita. Traffic was much better than expected Monday, thanks to the freeway's opening, but Tyrrell said many commuters might have taken the day off.
"We have a very good traffic situation out there this morning," Tyrell said Monday. "But (Tuesday), many people who took Monday off could be back out there on that freeway."
Metrolink will run extra cars and additional trains today, but might go back to regular service on Wednesday.
"Those trains had to come from somewhere," Tyrrell said. "We're evaluating our options, and we'll be looking at the numbers."
The 5:20 p.m. train arrived 19 minutes late. Passengers reported short delays on both afternoon and morning runs.
Among Monday's Metrolink passengers was Blanca Aranda of Palmdale, who said she usually drives but took the train to downtown Los Angeles because she was worried the weekend crash would disrupt traffic.
"The train was a little late getting in this morning. The train stopped for about 10 minutes in Via Princessa while they fixed something. We got in 10 or 15 minutes late," Aranda said.
Regular train rider Tony Guerrero said passengers had to stand for the morning ride, but the afternoon train was not as crowded.
"The 6 a.m. train was completely packed," Guerrero said.
Margie Pagan said she decided Sunday night to take the train because of the freeway situation.
"It wasn't too bad. It wasn't too crowded at all. They added extra cars," Pagan said.
The Antelope Valley Transit Authority runs daily commuter buses to Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
Expecting long traffic delays, those buses started departing Lancaster and Palmdale 30 minutes early Monday. Bus 785 to downtown Los Angeles started the first of its six runs from Lancaster at 3:15 instead of 3:45 a.m., and bus 787 to the San Fernando Valley started the first of its eight runs at 3:30 instead of 4 a.m.
AVTA spokeswoman Pam Holland said the transit agency had very little time to tell passengers about the early departures, but had about 24 riders on each of the earliest runs.
She said many commuters called Monday to say the early buses weren't necessary, as traffic in I-5 was lighter than expected.
"Numerous commuters have said they could have caught their usual bus," she said.
AVTA commuter buses will be back to their normal schedule this morning.
jkoren@avpress.com |
|
Replies:
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
Home
bravenet.com