Cities of the Underworld - LAs Lost Subway System

[nickdahammer]

Originally Posted by edwardius

It seems to me that building stuff underground in LA is a bad idea. First the weather in LA is pretty nice, unlike back east. Second, there are earthquakes and large pockets of natural gas (think La Brea tar pits).

I think LA is approaching the limits of how dense a city can get and still be dependent on rail, so I suspect that adding rail to LA isn't a bad idea, but I would much rather see it elevated like in Chicago rather than underground like NYC.

I don't see the benefits in LA of building underground.

I recall Ray Bradbury saying that he couldn't understand why a City like Los Angeles, with its great climate and tourist attractions should be saddled with an underground system. I tend to agree, though I supported Mayor Bradley when he pushed the Red Line, an above-ground line would be a pretty cool way to see the City.

Actually, you are probably safer underground in an earthquake than above. I was in the Transbay Tube in San Francisco when a mild tremor hit. I had no idea until I read about it in the paper the next day! Never felt a thing.

I think the only advantage LA has with its subways is their size- they are nowhere near as claustrophobic as NYC, Boston or London. The platforms here are huge, and the stations much easier to get in and out of, in my opinion.

[edwardius]

I have faith that engineers can probably address a lot of the issues regarding building underground and earthquakes, but I suspect that it also probably adds to the costs. But that earthquakes aren't the only geological hazard in the region, pockets of naturally occcuring natural gas are also a concern. To me this is the reason to build above grade rail, like the El in Chicago or parts of Bart in the East Bay. Snow isn't an issue in LA, generally the weather is really temperate. Why not take advantage of that and avoid the expenses of building underground?

[fatmancomics]

Originally Posted by Charles

You're right, this is fascinating.

PACIFIC ELECTRIC SUBWAY - Home (http://www.westworld.com/%7Eelson/larail/PE/tunnel.html - broken link)


Lots of pictures here:

PACIFIC ELECTRIC SUBWAY - Tunnel Tour (http://www.westworld.com/%7Eelson/larail/PE/tour.html - broken link)

That's now a luxury apartment complex called Belmont Station. From the pictures it looks like they kept the tunnel and even put one of the old street cars in it as a monument. Maybe the wife and I will go apartment hunting and take a tour of the place. Looks kind of neat.