This week, test trains will start running again along the Expo line in Santa Monica, a new, multi-modal vision for Lincoln Boulevard will go before the Planning Commission, and New Orleans jazz takes the Pier for the penultimate Twilight Concert show.
Expo Continues Testing this week
Expo trains will resume testing in Santa Monica this week, this time under their own power.
“Testing will be ongoing along the entire alignment in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The testing activity will test train clearances, the Overhead Catenary System which powers the trains, the crossing gates and traffic signals, and all related systems before the project is turned over to Metro for pre-revenue operations,” according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Now that the train is running, cross the tracks with care, keep an eye on all signalization at rail crossings, make sure to check the tracks in both directions before crossing, and do not walk, bike, or drive on the tracks. For more information about the Expo Line project, visit BuildExpo.org or call (213) 922-EXPO (3976).
Help Plan the future of LIncoln Blvd.
When Santa Monica took control of Lincoln Blvd. south of the I-10 from Caltrans in 2012, the city began plans to turn the stretch of highway into a multimodal neighborhood street.
Those plans, called the LiNC, will go before the Planning Commission this Wednesday for deliberation. Among some of the proposed ideas are included bulb outs, more crosswalks, repurposing auto-oriented businesses into more people-friendly uses, dedicated bus lanes, and connections for bike riders to the city’s network of bike routes. You can see the plans more in depth here.
Ultimately, the City Council has to sign off on these plans before they can go forward, but the Planning Commission will provide feedback to the Council based on its discussion of the plans Wednesday. It is also a chance for the public to weigh in.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: City Hall, 1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
New Orleans Jazz at the Pier
This Thursday is the second-to-last Twilight Pier Concert of the season and it will feature the Rebirth Brass Band with Miles Mosley & the West Coast Get Down.
“Formed in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, the [Rebirth Brass B]and has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. While committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands, they also extended into the realms of funk and hip hop to create their signature soul moving sound. Their signature brand of heavy funk has not only won over several generations of music lovers, it has become the soundtrack to an entire city,” according to the Pier’s website.
The band has also appeared in the HBO show Treme, about post-Katrina New Orleans. Here’s a taste of what you can expect Thursday.
Sharing the stage Thursday is Miles Mosley & the West Coast Get Down.
“L.A. born Mosley is a true force on the upright bass, incorporating effects pedals, his bow, his vocals and a horn section for his one-of-a-kind forward leaning solo projects. In addition to his solo career with his band, he has performed, recorded, produced and toured with artists including Chris Cornell, Christina Aguilera, Sean King, Mos Def, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, Terrence Howard, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, Jason Mraz, Jeff Beck, Rihanna, and Cee Lo Green,” according to the Pier’s website.
