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Little Tokyo/Arts District station

From Alfawiki
Little Tokyo/Arts District station
Company typeLight rail station
IndustryPublic transportation
FoundedNovember 15, 2009; 16 years ago (2009-11-15) (surface-level station)
DefunctOctober 24, 2020 (2020-10-24) (surface-level station)
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
Area served
Downtown Los Angeles, California
ProductsLight rail transit services (A Line, E Line)

Little Tokyo/Arts District station is an underground light rail stop within the Los Angeles Metro Rail network. It succeeded an earlier surface-level station bearing the same name, which was situated on the east side of Alameda Street, between 1st Street and Temple Street, adjacent to both Little Tokyo and the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles. The original surface station commenced operations in 2009 as part of the Gold Line Eastside Extension and was served by the L Line. This facility ceased service in October 2020, with the new subterranean station opening on June 16, 2023, located on the south side of 1st Street between Central Avenue and Alameda Street.

Previous operations

Historically, the Little Tokyo/Arts District vicinity functioned as a significant railway junction within Downtown Los Angeles. In 1891, James M. Davies subdivided this land, creating a nexus for multiple railroad companies. His great-nephew, Robert Davies Volk, owned parcels at the intersection of 1st and Alameda streets, featuring brick buildings aligned alongside former rail corridors. These edifices contributed notably to the cultural fabric of Little Tokyo prior to their demolition for station construction. Additionally, the Los Angeles Railway’s P Line yellow streetcars ran along 1st Street until 1963, including stops at Alameda.

Surface-level station

On July 17, 2004, Metro initiated construction of a 6-mile extension of the Gold Line light rail known as the Gold Line Eastside Extension, which replaced a previously planned Red Line subway expansion. This extension connects Union Station through Little Tokyo to East Los Angeles. The at-grade Little Tokyo/Arts District station began service on November 15, 2009, positioned east of Alameda Street between 1st and Temple Streets, remaining operational for nearly eleven years.

Following eight years of planning studies, the Regional Connector Transit Project received approval in 2012. This light rail tunnel traversing Downtown Los Angeles links the former A, E, and L (Gold) Lines. The renovated Little Tokyo/Arts District station now accommodates both the reconfigured A Line (running from Long Beach to San Gabriel Valley) and E Line (connecting Santa Monica to East Los Angeles). To facilitate service for both lines and mitigate traffic disruptions on Alameda and 1st Streets caused by surface trains, Metro relocated the station underground just south of 1st Street.

Utility relocations for the Regional Connector began in December 2012, followed by major construction starting in September 2014. The surface-level station temporarily closed in early 2016 due to track realignment and permanently shut down on October 24, 2020. While building the new underground station—which opened after a 32-month period—Metro operated a bus bridge between Union Station and Pico/Aliso stations to serve passengers formerly using the L Line.

Present underground station

Construction of the Regional Connector project commenced in September 2014, replacing the former surface station with an underground Little Tokyo/Arts District station situated on the west side of Alameda Street, approximately south of where the original stood. Tunnel boring machines were launched from this location during project development. Initially referred to as 1st St/Central during planning phases, by early 2017 the station retained its established name.

Preliminary efforts included demolishing two single-story brick structures—one dating back to 1898—with new mixed-use developments progressing around the site. Beginning April 9, 2023, A, E, and L Line trains underwent final testing through this new station and tunnel. The facility officially commenced operations on June 16, 2023.

Looking forward, the Southeast Gateway Line will terminate downtown via a new light rail tunnel connecting to Union Station and will include a transfer point at Little Tokyo/Arts District station. This expansion will necessitate additional infrastructure linking both subway systems.

Transit Connections

Available transfer options include:[1][2]

Nearby Points of Interest

This station is conveniently located within walking range of several prominent destinations:[4]

External links

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