$1.42B Regional Connector Light Rail Project breaks ground

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A groundbreaking ceremony in downtown Los Angeles kicked off the Regional Connector Light Rail Project on Tuesday. The $1.42 billion public transportation project is slated to link several lines and allow passengers to take a single trip across cities.

Metro is aptly using the slogan, "We're connecting the dots," since the project aims at providing a one-seat, single-fare line for travelers one day. This means commuters won't need to transfer between different lines when traveling on major east-west and north-south trips.

Star Trek actor George Takei served as master of ceremonies at the groundbreaking event.

"We'd boldly go where no transit agency has gone before," Takei said.

The Regional Connector Light Rail Project will complete a 1.9-mile segment between the Metro Blue and Expo Lines and the Metro Gold Line by providing a direct connection with three new underground stations.

According to Metro, it should dramatically improve the passengers' experience.

Construction is planned for 1st Street at Central Avenue, 2nd Street at Broadway and 2nd Place at Hope Street.

At the ceremony, Metro was joined by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and U.S Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx.

"It's a vision to provide seamless connections to people no matter where they live in Los Angeles," said Foxx.

Foxx said it's not easy to get a project complete when it's this large and this expensive.

"When we put this infrastructure in place, it will be here for a very long time, and it will serve Angelenos for generations, and that's what transportation is all about," Foxx said.

The Regional Connector Light Rail Project was approved by voters and funded in part by the Measure R half-cent sales tax ordinance for L.A. County transportation improvements, along with other federal and state transportation funds.

Before heading back to Washington, Foxx cracked a smile and gave his thoughts on having Commander Sulu by his side to mark this historic mission.

"I'm looking forward to learning more about his pursuits in space as we confront the next frontier in transportation," Foxx said with a laugh.

If all goes according to plan, the Regional Connector Light Rail Project should be completed in six years. Metro estimates the project will attract nearly 17,000 new daily riders.