Expo Line's next phase approved by PUC *

The California Public Utilities Commission gave its go-ahead to the grade crossings proposed for the second phase of the Expo Line, west from Culver City across the Westside to Santa Monica. The light-rail line will have 16 at-grade street crossings and 11 grade-separated crossings. Commission rulings calling for more expensive crossings had been a major cause of delay on phase one, but now the Exposition Construction Authority says it looks forward to starting construction "early next year." Metro, Streetsblog

Notes: The LA Observed photo above is of the Expo Line right-of-way along National Boulevard in Palms, last year. ZevWeb has a fun story on the route's origins as the railroad built from L.A. by Santa Monica founder John P. Jones. Also, this video look at the route from last year:

* Updated post