Local News in Brief : Metro Rail’s Start Pushed Back Again
Southern California Rapid Transit District officials announced Friday a further delay in the start of Metro Rail service because of soil conditions that have slowed excavation.
The first day of Metro Rail service, which had previously been postponed, was scheduled for Jan. 4, 1993, but RTD General Manager Alan F. Pegg said in a statement that “unanticipated factors” have caused additional delays.
Pegg said the discovery of contaminated soil and unsuitable ground conditions slowed excavation near Union Station and between 4th and 7th streets in downtown Los Angeles. That, coupled with past delays in acquiring property, has led officials to postpone the opening date of the $1.25-billion first phase of the project.
A new opening date will be announced “as soon as possible,” he said.
RTD officials earlier estimated that the cost of realigning the subway to avoid the pocket of hazardous soil near Union Station would add an additional $4.2 million to the project’s price tag.
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