Los Angeles Link Union Station Masterplan Continues Evaluations and Conceptual Designs
- aaron95304
- Apr 17, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Los Angeles Union Station, a majestic icon of Southern California, stands at the precipice of a monumental transformation. For decades, it has served as a vital transportation hub, but with the rapid expansion of LA Metro's operations, new Amtrak services, and the eventual arrival of California High-Speed Rail, the station's current configuration is simply not sustainable for the demands of the 21st century. Enter the Link Union Station project – an ambitious undertaking by LA Metro to modernize, expand, and fundamentally rethink how rail travel functions in the heart of Los Angeles. This project isn't just about tracks and trains; it's about envisioning Union Station as a vibrant urban constellation, deeply interwoven with the city's future.
The Stub-In Conundrum: A Bottleneck for Progress
At the core of Link Union Station's necessity lies a critical operational challenge: Union Station's "stub-in" configuration. Currently, trains enter the platforms head-first, requiring them to either back out in reverse or utilize a second engine on the opposite end of the train set to depart. This is not only inefficient and time-consuming but entirely unfeasible for the high-speed rail operations that will soon grace Southern California. The solution? A radical realignment of the rail infrastructure.
The proposed master plan involves extending the tracks south of the station, crossing over the bustling US-101 freeway. This seemingly straightforward solution, however, presents a significant engineering hurdle: clearance. To safely clear the freeway and allow for unimpeded traffic flow below, the new rail lines must be raised by a substantial 10+ feet. This elevation is not just about engineering; it's the catalyst for a cascade of transformative opportunities.
Below Rail and Above Rail: A Dual Vision for Concourse Evolution
With the tracks elevated, the existing subterranean passenger tunnel – currently a functional but modest connector to the platforms – can be dramatically expanded. This expansion is envisioned as a future-forward, below-rail concourse, designed to accommodate the exponential increase in passenger volume expected over the next five decades. Imagine a vast, modern space, seamlessly connecting passengers to an array of platforms, ready to handle the ebb and flow of regional, national, and high-speed rail services.
However, LA Metro's initiative for Link Union Station was to leave no stone unturned, exploring every conceivable option. This led to a fascinating parallel study: an above-rail concourse. Initially conceived as a temporary solution to maintain passenger operations during the intricate and prolonged construction of the below-rail concourse and the gradual elevation of the rail platforms, conversations quickly revealed a compelling insight: if built, this temporary structure might well become permanent. Therefore, it was studied as a primary concourse option.
The vision for this above-rail concourse is breathtaking. It's not just a bridge over tracks; it's a grand, circular platform designed to provide safe and efficient access to all platforms from above. Spanning this magnificent structure would be a sweeping canopy, featuring tinted, angled glazing. This design isn't merely aesthetic; it's functional, allowing for natural light and breathability while providing shelter. Crucially, the concourse would be open on all sides, offering passengers panoramic, sweeping views – the majestic San Gabriel Mountains to the east and the iconic Downtown Los Angeles skyline to the west. This design emphasizes an experience, not just a utilitarian pathway, fundamentally changing how passengers interact with Union Station and its surrounding urban fabric.
Tokyo's Lessons: Shinjuku and Shibuya as Urban Constellations
The ambition of Link Union Station, particularly in its urban integration and the vision for the North Arts District, draws inspiration from some of the world's most successful and complex transit hubs. Our study of train stations in Tokyo, specifically Shibuya and Shinjuku, revealed invaluable lessons in seamless urban design and the symbiotic relationship between transportation infrastructure and vibrant city life.
Tokyo's major stations are not merely places where trains arrive and depart; they are cities within a city. Shinjuku Station, for instance, is a sprawling labyrinth of rail lines, subway connections, department stores, underground shopping malls, and office towers, all meticulously integrated. Similarly, Shibuya, with its iconic scramble crossing, demonstrates how a transit hub can become the beating heart of a district, fostering intense pedestrian activity and commercial vitality.
What we learned from Tokyo is the art of vertical integration and multi-layered connectivity. Their stations successfully manage immense passenger volumes by providing clear, intuitive pathways across multiple levels, linking rail to retail, offices, and surrounding neighborhoods. They also showcase how infrastructure, even something as imposing as an elevated rail line, can be leveraged to create new public spaces and foster economic development, rather than merely acting as a barrier.
Beyond the Tracks: Reimagining the North Arts District
The elevated rail bridge, as it crosses over the 101 freeway and extends into the nascent North Arts District, presents both a challenge and an extraordinary opportunity. The sheer scale of the viaduct, with its supporting columns, will inevitably reshape an area currently characterized by warehouses and industrial uses. However, leaving this area as a typical "under the bridge" neighborhood, isolated and underdeveloped, is simply unacceptable given its proximity to the incredibly vibrant and sought-after Los Angeles Arts District.
Here's where the lessons from Tokyo truly resonate. The Link Union Station project envisions a comprehensive urban design and planning exercise that extends beyond the station itself. It's about meticulously evaluating connections from the existing Arts District, through this evolving North Arts District, under the imposing rail viaduct, and then under the 101 freeway viaduct (which itself emerges from a trench to bridge over the LA River). The vision culminates in seamless pathways leading up through the Piper Tech facility and ultimately into Union Station.
This intricate network of pedestrian, rail, building, and neighborhood infrastructure is designed to transform the North Arts District into a dynamic extension of its southern counterpart. It's about creating legible, safe, and engaging pedestrian corridors that invite exploration and foster new development. Imagine art installations under the viaduct, cafes spilling out onto reimagined public spaces, and new residential and commercial developments taking root, all seamlessly connected to the pulse of Union Station. This isn't just about mitigating the impact of infrastructure; it's about leveraging it to unlock immense value and create a genuinely unique urban experience.
