Expo E-News - Expo Line

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For more information about the Expo Line, visit our website at BuildExpo.org or call 213.922.EXPO. In this Issue: .... C
Expo E-News Keeping Our Community Informed

Fall/Winter 2014

Phase 2 Takes Shape! Page 2

In this Issue: Page 2: Phase 2 Update | Page 5: Spotlight | Page 7: Artwork Update For more information about the Expo Line, visit our website at BuildExpo.org or call 213.922.EXPO

Phase 2 Update Phase 2 Takes Shape!

Throughout the summer and fall, work crews have continued to make incredible progress on the Expo Line. From rail crossings to Overhead Catenary System (OCS) poles, some of the most important work on the project is already complete or well underway. After more than two years of construction, Expo Phase 2 reached a significant milestone as crews completed the tie-in of the electrical components of Phase 2 with Phase 1 at the Culver City station. Crews pulled wire and fiber optic cable from Phase 2 to Phase 1 into the Communications and Systems building at the Culver City Station. The existing dead-end OCS poles and bumper posts were removed so that rail equipment can travel onto the Venice Boulevard Bridge and along the rest of the Phase 2 alignment when it opens. The last remaining track crossing has been installed in Santa Monica at 6th Street and Colorado Avenue. Due to the complexity of the rail installation, the intersection required extended 24-hour closures. The continuous work shifts allowed work crews to remove the existing roadway, excavate for the rail placement/ installation and completely restore the roadway. 6th Street Rail Installation and Roadway Restoration

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Expo E-News Fall/ Winter 2014

Phase 2 Update Phase 2 Takes Shape In addition to the at-grade crossings, crews have installed approximately 85% of the rail throughout the Expo Phase 2 alignment. As a result, installation of the OCS cables should be completed in early 2015. The contractor is working closely with Metro to complete all of the Traction Power Substation installations. This will

Rail Installation progress near Sawtelle Boulevard under the 405 Freeway

allow train testing to begin during the first quarter of 2015. As the New Year approaches, most of the major civil work on Phase 2 will be completed. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation during construction. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

OCS Cable Installation near Northvale Road

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Expo E-News Fall/ Winter 2014

Phase 2

Construction Update

Construction Progress at a Glance: Stations:

All of the station platforms have been built and station construction is 70% complete. Crews are in the process of installing the station elements such as pavers, station archways, and canopy poles at six stations. Station rain and shade canopy installation will continue through the coming months.

Installation of Canopies at the Westwood Rancho Park Station

Crossing Gates: The crossing gate mechanisms have been installed at the Bagley, Overland, Westwood, and Military crossings.

Installed Crossing Gate Mechanism at Overland Avenue

Street Improvements:

Completion of Final Paving on Barrington Avenue

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Street improvements are nearing completion at the following locations: Venice Boulevard , Barrington Avenue and Exposition Boulevard near Bagley Avenue. Roadway improvements at Westwood Boulevard and Overland Avenue have been completed. Work crews will continue with street improvements on Pico Bouleveard near Gateway Boulevard and along Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica. Traffic signal and street light work will be ongoing through the first quarter of 2015.

Expo E-News Fall/ Winter 2014

Spotlight

Expo Contractor Celebrates Diversity In late October, Skanska-Rados, JV (SRJV) observed their second annual Diversity and Inclusion Week. Over 130 employees from more than 60 subcontractors working on Expo Phase 2 participated in the weeklong event. Through a variety of events and activities, the participants focused on learning more about each other, teambuilding and recognizing their differences and the value those differences bring to the workplace and the project. Workers Enjoying Their Tommy’s Burger Lunch

Each day featured a different activity reflecting the message of the week, “Inclusion Works.” The name tag games, word scrambles and map challenges highlighted one of the ““Five P’s”: Perspective, Partnerships, Possibilities, Performance and Profitability. Skanska-Rados Joint Venture, with the help of sponsorships, donated prizes for the winners of the activities, including tools and gift certificates to local restaurants and retailers. But the activities weren’t limited to the workers themselves. Their children were invited to participate in a drawing contest where they could depict their own ideas of diversity and inclusion and what it means to them. Each student who submitted a drawing received a prize. The week concluded with a delicious lunch from Tommy’s Burgers sponsored by Arrow Disposal at the West Los Angeles project field office. "Diversity is a key component to our continued success as we build Expo Phase 2. We thank all those who participated in this year’s Diversity and Inclusion Week events and look forward to continuing to promote diversity every day as we Diversity Drawings Submitted by Workers' Children

move closer to completion of the project," said Michael Richardson, SRJV EEO/DBE Manager.

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Expo E-News Fall/ Winter 2014

Profile

Shining a Light on Small Business For nearly 60 years, Paramount Metal & Supply Co, a local steel manufacturing company firm has specialized in custom metalwork that can be found throughout Southern California. Their work includes other transit projects like the Gold Line Chinatown and East Los Angeles Civic Center stations, as well as the Long Beach Lighthouse.

Installation of Elevator Towers at the Expo/Sepulveda Station

Paramount Metal and Supply Co., a minority business enterprise (MBE) founded by husband and wife team George and Helen Jue and now run by their son Vincent, is providing all of the fabrication and nearly all the steel products for Expo Phase 2. In fact, approximately 70% of Paramount’s current work is on the Expo Line. Fabrication of Overhead Shade Canopies

The company started

work on Phase 2 in late 2012 with a $7.4 million contract to manufacture and install the station canopies, structural columns, catenary system poles, and all of the custom station artwork archways at each train station. Paramount attributes its success in the metal fabrication industry to a commitment to having its engineers work directly with the artists and designers to bring their

Progress of the 17th Street SMC Station

concepts to life. And although the manufacturing process is labor and time intensive, this family-owned company and its employees find their work rewarding because once completed, their work can be appreciated by generations to come. Page 6

Expo E-News Fall/ Winter 2014

Artwork Update Along with the incredible construction progress, the artwork fabrication process for the seven Expo Phase 2 stations is also well underway. The art is designed to create a welcoming environment for future riders and connect the stations to their surrounding neighborhoods. The artists, who were featured in previous newsletters, have been actively involved in Inspection of Art Work Fabrication by Judithe Hernandez ensuring that the artwork being produced is an accurate translation of their original works. They are working closely with the fabricators to review and approve the color palettes and final fabricated pieces, throughout the entire assembly. The materials used include porcelain enamel steel, glass mosaic, fired ceramic tile and ceramic mosaic tile, all of which are highly durable and well-suited to transit environments.

Fabrication of Art Work Created by Judithe Hernandez

To learn more about the fabrication process and see additional photos and videos, visit Metro’s The Source Blog for Dowtown Santa Monica and Expo/Bundy Stations.

How to Reach Us Call our project hotline at (213) 922-EXPO (3976)

Project Website: www.BuildExpo.org

or email us at [email protected]

Sign up on our homepage to be added to the project database and receive notices via email.

For questions on Phase 2 of the EXPO line, please contact:

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Torri D. Hill Skanska-Rados Joint Venture Community Relations (310) 500-1485

Social Media: www.Facebook.com/ExpoLine www.Twitter.com/ExpoLine Expo E-News Fall/ Winter 2014