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CPSD/RTSS/MLC/DAR/SCA/HKH/vdl Date of Issuance 3/23/2012

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Consumer Protection and Safety Division

Rail Transit and Crossings Branch

Rail Transit Safety Section

    Resolution ST-135

    March 22, 2012

RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION ST-135 GRANTING APPROVAL OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND EXPOSITION METRO LINE CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY'S SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION PLAN

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SUMMARY

This Resolution grants the request of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority for approval of the Safety and Security Certification Plan for the Exposition Light Rail Transit Project Phase 2.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) light rail transit operations consist of the Red, Purple, Blue, Green, and Gold Lines. The LACMTA rail system carries an average of 350,000 passengers per day.

The Exposition Light Rail Transit Project Phase 2 (Expo Phase 2) is one of LACMTA's projects to provide rail service to the west side of Los Angeles. LACMTA received state and local funding, including Measure R (a half-cent L.A. County sales tax), to construct new tracks, seven stations, an overhead catenary wire system, substations, signaling, switches, crossovers and grade crossing warning devices. The extension provides patrons with an alternative option to driving or riding the bus to reach their destinations in the Culver City, Cheviot Hills, and the City of Santa Monica by reducing travel times. Construction work is scheduled to begin spring 2012 and is scheduled for completion and revenue service in Year 2015.

Expo Phase 2 is an expansion of the new LACMTA Exposition Light Rail Transit Project Phase 1, extending 6.6 miles from the existing Washington/National Station in Culver City. Expo Phase 2 runs south of the Interstate 10 (I-10) freeway until it intersects with the I-10 freeway near Motor Avenue. The alignment travels under the I-10 freeway and exits near Cheviot Hills. The Expo Phase 2 alignment continues to generally run parallel to the I-10 freeway to its termination point in downtown Santa Monica.

The project plans for a total of seven new stations with four new stations in Los Angeles and the remaining three new stations in Santa Monica where the line will terminate at 4th Street and Colorado Ave. All of the seven new stations will have high platforms long enough to accommodate a three -car length train totaling 270 feet. Station passenger loading will be either at side platform or center platform. Of the seven new stations, four will be at-grade, one will be elevated, and two will be aerial stations.

BACKGROUND

Commission General Order 164-D, Rules and Regulations Governing State Safety Oversight of Rail Fixed Guideway Systems, Section 11, Requirements for Safety Certification Plan, requires that each Rail Transit Agency (RTA) prepare a project-specific Safety and Security Certification Plan (SSCP) for each major project and ensure that all entities involved in design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project comply with the safety certification process.

The SSCP verifies the organizational authority and responsibilities, safety certification activities, processes, procedures, documentation requirements and responsibilities, and reporting requirements are defined and all stakeholder parties are compliant and in agreement with the contents of the SSCP.

At the conclusion of construction and testing the RTA will submit a written Safety Certification Verification Report (SCVR), as required by General Order 164-D, at least 21 calendar days prior to start of service. Staff shall respond to the SCVR within nine (9) calendar days of filing by indicating that it approves the SCVR, or identifying areas that are not acceptable to staff. Staff shall give its approval of the SCVR by issuing a formal letter to LACMTA.

On August 24, 2011, LACMTA and the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority (Expo) submitted an SSCP for the Expo Phase 2 to CPUC staff (staff) for review and requested Commission approval.

Staff reviewed and analyzed the SSCP and on August 29, 2011 replied to Expo with an email requesting changes in the SSCP. Expo responded by email on September 6, 2011 accepting changes requested by staff.

DISCUSSION

The SSCP was filed as required by General Order 164-D. Staff reviewed the final Expo Phase 2 SSCP, in accordance with General Order 164-D Section 11, Requirements for Safety Certification Plan. The SSCP is in compliance with General Order 164-D and staff recommends that the Commission grants approval of LACMTA/Expo's SSCP.

NOTICE

On February 22, 2012, this Resolution was published on the Commission's Daily Calendar.

COMMENTS

The draft resolution of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division in this matter was mailed in accordance with Section 311 of the Public Utilities Code and Rule 14.2(c) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. No comments were received.

FINDINGS

1. On August 24, 2011, LACMTA/Expo submitted its SSCP for the Expo Phase 2 for staff review and requested Commission approval.

2. On August 29, 2011, staff replied to Expo with an email requesting minor revisions in the SSCP.

3. Expo responded by email on September 6, 2011 accepting revisions requested by staff.

4. The Expo Phase 2 extends the new LACMTA Exposition Line, by 6.6 miles from the Washington/National Station in Culver City to City of Santa Monica. Seven new stations are being constructed: four in Los Angeles, and the remaining three in Santa Monica terminating at 4th Street and Colorado Ave.

5. Staff reviewed the Expo Phase 2 SSCP and found it to be in accordance with General Order 164-D.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. The request of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Exposition Construction Authority for approval of the Safety and Security Certification Plan for the Exposition Light Rail Transit Project Phase 2 is granted.

2. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority shall submit the Safety and Security Certification Verification Report to CPUC staff as required by the Commission General Order 164-D, Section 12, at least 21 days prior to start of revenue service.

3. This resolution is effective today.

I certify that the foregoing resolution was duly introduced, passed, and adopted by the Commission at its regularly scheduled meeting on March 22, 2012. The following Commissioners voted favorably thereon:

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