Metro Opens North Hollywood Pedestrian Underpass for Orange and Red Lines

[caption id="attachment_120427" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Officials cut the orange ribbon on the Orange Line side of the new North Hollywood pedestrian underpass. Left to right: Ray Tellis, Federal Transit Administration, Paul Krekorian, L.A. City Councilmember, John Fasana, Metro Board chair, Tony Cardenas, U.S. Congressmember, Eric Garcetti, city of L.A. Mayor, Stephanie Wiggins, Metro, and Jess Talamantes, city of Burbank Mayor. Photos: Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.[/caption]

Metro riders transferring between the Orange and Red Lines will find their commutes improved today. Today, the agency opened its new North Hollywood Station Underpass project, which includes new elevators, escalators, and fare gates. The $22 million underpass was funded in part by a $10 million federal TIGER grant.

The new tunnel was celebrated by elected officials including Metro Board chair, John Fasana, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, U.S. Congressmember Tony Cardenas, and L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian. Speakers emphasized the safety and convenience of the undercrossing. According to Metro staff reports [PDF], the tunnel will save riders approximately 44 seconds on each transfer between the Red and Orange Lines. Krekorian announced that the recently renovated historic Lankershim Depot will re-open this fall, including a small park next to the new tunnel entrance.

Photos of the opening and the tunnel after the jump.

[caption id="attachment_120426" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Congressman Tony Cardenas emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120428" align="aligncenter" width="572"] A red ribbon was cut on the Red Line end of the tunnel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120429" align="aligncenter" width="572"] View of the tunnel from the North Hollywood Red Line Station[/caption]