June 3 , 2008 Contact: José Ubaldo/Marc Littman Metro Media Relations 213.922.3087/213.922.2700 www.metro.net/pressroom

Metro Removes Concrete Decks a First, Soto Streets as Construction of Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension Continues

Metro construction workers will begin removing concrete decks and do street renovation work on First and Soto streets in Boyle Heights beginning Friday, June 6, above one of the light rail underground stations at the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension.

Work will last approximately four consecutive weeks and will be done on a 24-hour basis to complete the job as soon as possible. 

The full street closure on First Street, between Breed and Matthews streets, is needed to build the roof of the underground station and finalize improvements such as street restoration, curb and gutter, sidewalk reconstruction and street lighting.

The community should expect detours on First Street:

• Eastbound traffic will be detoured to southbound Chicago Street, to eastbound Fourth Street, to northbound Evergreen Avenue and then back to First Street.
• Westbound traffic on First Street will be detoured to northbound Evergreen Avenue to westbound Cesar Chavez, to southbound Chicago Street, to westbound First Street.

On Soto Street, the northbound and southbound traffic lanes will be open during the deck removal with exception of the weekend of Friday, June 13, throughout Monday, June 16.

The closure will be in effect beginning Friday at 6 p.m. until Monday 6 a.m. The rest of the weekends there will be one lane open in each direction along Soto Street.

Bus stops in the affected area will be temporarily relocated.

• Eastbound bus lines 30, 31, and 330 will be detoured to northbound Chicago Street, eastbound Cesar Chavez, southbound Evergreen Avenue to eastbound First Street.
• Westbound bus lines 30, 31 and 330, will be detoured to northbound EvergreenAvenue, westbound Cesar Chávez Avenue, southbound State Street, to westbound State Street and then westbound on First Street.
• Bus lines 30, 31 and 330 will stop at assigned Line 68 bus stops on Cesar Chavez Avenue. Metro bus riders can use bus lines 251, 252 and 751 at First Street and Soto Street to access bus lines 309, 31 and 330 on Cesar Chavez.
• Northbound bus lines 251, 252, and 751 on Soto Street will be detoured one week from June 13, 6 p.m.  through June 16, 6 a.m. to eastbound Fourth Street, to northbound Mott Street, to westbound Cesar Chavez Avenue, to northbound Soto Street.
• Southbound bus lines 251, 252, and 751 on Soto Street will be detoured one week from June 13, 6 p.m. through June 16, 6 a.m. to eastbound Cesar Chavez Avenue, to southbound Mott Street, to westbound Cesar Chavez Avenue, to southbound Soto Street.

Access to residences and pedestrians will be maintained at all times. Businesses will be open during construction; however, vehicle access will not be permitted during the construction.

The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, which will feature eight stations (two underground), will span six miles from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles via the Arts District/Little Tokyo and Boyle Heights to Atlantic/Pomona Boulevards in East Los Angeles. It is scheduled to open in 2009.

Residents who need more information should contact Metro Community Relations at (213) 922-2259 or visit Metro website at www.metro.net/project_programs/eastside/street_closures.htm for up-to-date street closures information.

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