Metro is taking public comment on Crenshaw North extension before locking in the EIR study options. This is our last chance to get them to scrap the hybrid and add a more logical "spur" concept. There has been a lengthy discussion on Transit Coalition forum for the spur concept and the basic jest is that it just makes more sense (plus it preserves the option to extend it further east and west.
Here are the three EIR options Metro presented:
The "spur" concept basically follow La Brea for the main north-south direction (most logical, fastest, cheapest) and will incorporate the best part of the hybrid - the east-west portion on Santa Monica Blvd between La Brea and La Cienega.
Here is a video that has a good high level summary of the spur idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUrFswVO4Ms
I did not make the video... I will let andert who made the video to comment further.
Here is a form letter to submit to Metro if you agree. Just copy and paste.
To:
crenshawnorth@metro.net
Re: Comments for Crenshaw northern extension
After reviewing the three existing options, La Brea, Fairfax, and hybrid, I strongly urge Metro to add a fourth option: La Brea plus Santa Monica spur.
The hybrid option is fundamentally flawed because it mixed the east-west travel corridor on Santa Monica Blvd with the general north-south direction of the Crenshaw line. This will result in long travel time and will not best serve either the east-west nor the north-south travelers. In light of City of West Hollywood's strong commitment to the line, I believe it is in the best interest of all parties to acknowledge that hybrid option is a poor compromise to the forced marriage of two different travel corridors.
The La Brea plus Santa Monica spur concept acknowledges the reality that these are two separate travel corridors. Instead of continuing the flawed hybrid compromise, there should be a vision for what the rail network could look like in the future. A spur line on Santa Monica Blvd traveling from Hollywood /Highland to Santa Monica/Robertson will satisfy the City of West Hollywood's desire for Metro service within its borders. The spur can operate in conjunction with the La Brea train and not unnecessarily impact the service quality of the Crenshaw line via La Brea. There are further benefits to this concept as the line can be extended in the future south/west to purple line station at La Cienega or Century City; and east towards Downtown LA via Santa Monica blvd. And as proposed, the La Brea plus Santa Monica spur concept has roughly the same amount of track mileage as the hybrid option but offers significantly faster travel time between Hollywood/Highland and LAX and beyond.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Name