Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Elysian Valley: Community Meeting Tonight Metrolink Pollution & Environmental Justice

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 15, 2011.  Shot from the upper deck of a Metrolink train parked in the maintenance yard, looking across the LA River toward Elysian Valley & Elysian Park. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 

Since tonight's meeting was announced, the trains parked in the yard have not been idling nearly as much as they usually do.   So clearly, they can reduce the amount of air and noise pollution created by the yard.  Cumulative exposure to diesel (from the locomotives) leads to long term health problems.  

Metrolink claims a new maintenance yard opening in San Bernardino in 2014 will cut the traffic at this facility by 50%.  We pointed out that the claim was far too optimistic since we would expect increased ridership and number of trains by 2014.  Metrolink representatives on Saturday's tour did not disagree.

Tonight's meeting is about environmental justice for neighbors of the Metrolink maintenance yard.  Voice your opinions to Metrolink, AQMD and elected officials:

Wednesday, October 19, 2011
6PM
1918 Riverside Drive
(Dickerson Employee Benefits, between Allesandro & Stadium Way)
Los Angeles, CA 90039


See also: The Eastsider