Introduction
Laus or Los Angeles Union Station is currently the major rail way station in Los Angeles, California and it’s the biggest passenger terminal railroad the Western part of the United States.
Most recently, the railway station evolved into the largest main transport hub for those who live in South California. It currently, serves about sixty thousand passengers on a daily basis on their en route to Amtrak for the longer distance trains locomotives, Regional trains of Amtrak California, computer driven trains of Metro link as well as many more metro rails and light rails.
In addition, the Patsaouras Transit Plaza equally serves many more bus lines that are run or operated by municipality carriers and Metro. In closing the in the introduction, it is worth affirming that the station was started in nineteen thirty nine. It was then called Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal. It hence, replaced the formerly known La Grande Station together with the Central station that was constructed in the nineteen nineties. Historical background Los Angeles was developed after a stringent measure was undertaken to in nineteen twenty six. This election process gave voters or electorates a chance to make a choice between building a large network of elevated railways or undertake to construct a much smaller union railway station that would consolidate or bring together several different railway terminals.
Unfortunately, the electioneering process took a racial inclination and it was this political development that led to the construction of the current Los Angeles. Upon proposal, the Union Station was constructed within ten the central business union of Los Angeles former China Town.
Given the chronic racial prejudice of the time, those who held contrary views became proponent of the fact that, union stations should not be constructed within the middle of Chin a Town. But, instead, there should be demolition of China Town Surroundings. This received an a narrow approval from the voters
In nineteen eighty, the station was put on the national registrar of historical places thus becoming Los Angeles cultural monument.
In nine teen ninety two, train lines such as, Antelope Valley Line, San Bernardino Line and Ventura County Line .in nineteen ninety three, San Bernardino train line was completed together with the Orange CountVentura County Liney Line.
In nineteen ninety four, Metro’s Red Line and Riverside Line had started functioning. In two thousand, there was the conversion of Platform one into metro’s gold line and electric light rails.
Historical evolution of the place
In 1920s, there was a measure that aimed at the establishment of the union station. This was subjected to the ballot by the people of Los Angeles. This was to enabled them decide between the construction of a network of elevated railways and the construction of a far much smaller union station.
Next the railway station was opened in the early 1940s. This gave it the green light to begin transacting its business for example, the opening of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal, that had replaced the former central station and La Grande Station.
In 1950s to 1960s, the services of the union station replaced La Grande Station and Central Station . the union station also served a number of highways such as; Atchison, Southern Pacific Railroad, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and Los Angeles Railway .
In the late 1960s, the union station went through less patronage due to the completion from air travel and the rise other automobiles.
In 1980s, there were plans underway for high speed train system that would link Northern and Southern California. This was proposed by the then Governor Jerry Brown.
In 1990s, and in particular nineteen ninety six the California High-Speed Rail Authority got formed to that began formal planning in an attempt to prepare for a ballot contest in nineteen ninety eight or in two thousand.
In 2000, the ballot contest that was formally scheduled to 2004 general election was altered after the legislature voted in order to move it to 2006 and consequently to 2008 where it was approved with a minimal margin of fifty two point seven percent.
The initial cost of the San Francisco-to-Anaheim section was initially approximated by the Authority as at thirty three million dollars in two thousand and eight. Yet a revised business plan that was released in two thousand and eleven by same Authority placed the sum cost at sixty five point four billion dollars. Finally, there was an implementation plan that was approved in two thousand and five which estimated that, it could take about decade to develop and start the operations of an initiation section of California high-speed train.
In 2010, the Board of Directors casted votes the led to the beginning of the building of the initial part of the system from Madera to Fresno. By the close of December 2010, there was the in cooperation of an additional six hundred and sixteen million dollars into the federal funds that was transferred from states that called off their high-speed rail plans. The first section of building was extended to Bakersfield. In addition, some three hundred million dollars was re allocated in two thousand and eleven. This led to the extended funding.
In 2012, Obama administration issued California’s high speed rail plan a go ahead. Obama fast tracked the project. This streamlined the permitting process.
Lastly, in 20013, there was a joint venture from Tutor Perini/Zachary/Parsons which then announced that it had implemented a contract with the consent for the design and building initial Madera to Fresno section of the California high-speed rail system. The contract was estimated to be approximately nine hundred and eighty five million dollars with an addition of fifty three million miscellaneous.
Transit station on El Monte Bus way
A transit way station for Metro Silver Line together with some other transit buses plying on the El Monte Bus ways is built on the southern part of Patsaouras Transit Plaza.
This was enabled by funding from tolls collected from Metro Express Lanes project.
The station will permit buses moving in the either directions on the bus ways to serve the union stations with very little delay for passengers to other different stations. Upon completion, there would be a bridge that would facilitate the passengers’ movement from Patsaouras to the bus way station through the Transit Plaza to. This will help do away with a very long walk across the Union Station premises to the present stop located on the El Monte Bus way at Alameda Southern California Regional Interconnect Project
Union Station will be a prime hub for California High-Speed Rail System on completion.
Los Angeles Union Station Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station Transportation Center is planned to be a new bus way terminals to the upper level.
Description of the present conditions, relative to the past.
Union Station is enclosed on garden potions on either side. It has a waiting room with the passengers exit. The rear end of the inner walls is covered with many marble while the fore end is covered with acoustical tile. The floor is terra cotta tile sandwiched with a strip of an inlaid marble that is inclusive of travertine.
The main building is attached to the south with a station restaurant. In contrast to the past, it is worth making note of the fact that, much development has occurred and much more is even on the way given the future intentioned development. For example, Angeles Union Station Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station Transportation which would aid in the transfer of canters from Park & Ride of L.A. Metro, Foothill Transit, Orange County Transportation Authority, Santa Clarita Transit, Burbank Bus, LADOT, Commuter Express, Big Blue Bus, LAX Flyaway Bus, Torrance Transit and Antelope Valley Transit to another flyover closer to towards a Metrolink, Amtrak and Metro Gold Line Platforms and finally to a newer glass elevator in the future.
In addition, California High-Speed Rail
Union Station will also be a hub for California High-Speed Rail System. It is projected that on completion, -passenger will be able to get to the move from Union Station to the planned Tran bay Terminal at San Francisco within less than three hours. This I do believe will be far much better than before.
Moreover, Metro is currently researching on modalities of how to best synchronize tracks together with the platforms meant for high speed train within the union station.
A number of options have been brought forth such as; an aerial structure over and above the current platforms that are in place, a beneath structure under Alameda, a beneath structure below Vignes as well as an aerial structure in the east of Vignes. Altogether, these plans are inclusive of a new concourse that is meant for high-speed rail passengers with three platforms composed of six tracks.
Lastly, former Run-Through Tracks Project
The Federal Railroad Administration had come up with a plan to construct run-through tracks within the Union Station. This would also have a great import on the current classy state of the union station per se.
My current perceptions.
I am deeply moved by the development of Los Angeles Union Station. This is due to the fact that, the designers had a magnificent imagination. This has largely contributed too much of the architectural designs that have greatly been borrowed even in academic circles.
Union Station was party designed by John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson. They were helped by a conglomeration of architects, such as Jan van der Linden.
The modalities in necessitating the movement of people and commodities from one place to the other have been largely eased by the development of the union station. This is due to the looming fact that, about sixty thousand people can use the station on their day to day business. This has enormously eased communication from among people.
Administratively has equally been less burdensome due to the development of this railway union station. This is due to the fact that, administrative business can be easily transacted with a lot of ease. Administrators can move from place to place if need be. They can equally make follow ups in different t parts of the region.
Business as well as other related commercial practices too has largely and speedily evolved due to this development. This leads to speedy transfer of both goods and services from one place to another. Federal workers are also able to move from their far flung residential areas to their work stations with very little restrain if any.
I must also confess that the fact that, the construction of their rail station was politically motivated has led to collective acceptance of its usage per se. This is out of the fact that the people felt part and parcel of its establishment. This can be underscored by their overwhelming turn out in the ballot process even though; the approval was with a miner margin of about fifty three percent.
Culturally, the union station has been accredited as a national monument. As such it plays a potent role in the preservation of the cultural orientation of the people of Los Angeles. This facilitates both local and international tourists.
It equally acts as a revenue hub after the tourists depart. In the same length, it has enhanced self pride of the local in habitants who identify with it. The unions rail way station, has also eased academic processes since, it has been a darling for many student researchers. It has similarly motivated architectural ambitions among those who have passion for architectural design. The union stations have been also used by lecturers and students as they move from their residential areas to their learning institutions.
Good transport and communication network has led to speedy rise and development of industries. This has been enabled by faster transportation of industrial finished products to the market. Along the same breath, it has similarly bolstered the transportation of raw materials to the factories and this has reduced the production cost as well as speeded up the transformation of these raw materials into f9inished products too.
The union station of Los Angeles has bolstered interaction of people leading to cultural exchange. This has led to increased interracial tolerance. This has weakened the social ill of racial discrimination. This has been feasible out of the fact that, as people interacts and socializes; they are able to learn from each other. They thence, appreciate their difference and acknowledge the fact their diversity is of great strength when properly harnessed. This has led to a better co existence between and among people of different kind. The developed nationhood has furthered common understanding and collectivity among the populace that use the railway station. With this positive relationship, countries have enabled their citizens to move freely to other countries which have boosted trade greatly.
Last but not least, the union stations have provided employment opportunities to many citizens as well as local and immigrants. This enables them meet their family needs and assist them in meeting their obligations to the national government in such areas as paying taxes which helps the government in running its programs. They become economically empowered so that they do not rely on welfare programs.
It is therefore my subtle opinion that, the union station of Los Angeles has greatly contributed to the overall common good of those that it affects remotely or directly. Directly in that it has provided a more comfortable way of transport that people can easily access, being that it is modern and indirectly in that it has been able to create employment to many people both country wide and nationwide among others.
Cited works
Steve Hymon (October 17, 2012). "Ribbon cutting this morning for new platform at Los Angeles Union Station!"
"Los Angeles Metropolitan Lounge opening next Monday, 9/23". Flyertalk. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
Bottles, Scott (1987). Los Angeles and the Automobile: The Making of the Modern City. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 156.
Axelrod, Jeremiah (2009). Inventing Autopia: Dreams and Visions of the Modern Metropolis in Jazz Age Los Angeles. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 193.
"Regional Rail Capital Funding Plan for FY 2012-13". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. July 18, 2012.
Katches, Mark (January 31, 1993). "Red Line Rolls to Raves – It's Smooth Railing As L.A. Subway Opens". Daily News of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. pp. 38–66. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
Matthew R. Poole (2010). Frommer's Los Angeles 2011. Frommer's. p. 30.
