Government Considering Options for Pacific Electric Railroad Right of Way
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From 1901 to 1961, the Pacific Electric Railway -- or the "Red Car" -- operated as one of Southern California's primary mass transit options, connecting Orange and Los Angeles Counties in a large series of rail corridors. Now, officials are examining ways to reuse the West Santa Ana Branch Corridor, an abandoned 20-mile rail corridor running from Santa Ana to Paramount.
According to a June 14 Orange County Register article, "Is reusing the old Pacific Electric Railway a possibility?, the hope is that someone can find a way to use the abandoned rail line to
connect the Los Angeles Metro Blue Line, Metro Green Line, and Union Station on the north end, and the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center on the south end.
I have no idea whether such a project is economically feasible or whether it will get off the ground. However, the ever-increasing costs of major right-of-way projects, coupled with the public's aversion to the government's use of eminent domain (often required for such projects), suggests that it makes a lot of sense to study whether an intact, existing right of way can be reused.
Whether anything ever comes of this, I like the fact that officials are studying the issue. We'll see what happens.
Note: Photo from the National Archives, Pacific Region, in Laguna Niguel, California.
Why not ? The land is sitting there going to waste. How about an express bus lane, possibly connecting to a park and ride. If not, turn it into a walking or bike trail. If nothing else, sit on the property until times get better.
The Pacific Electric trolley system should have never been abandoned.Now we are in the light rail era we wish we had them back.I live in Md near DC I rode DC trollys when I was little and they were great.I have ridden Baltimores light rail system and it runs great.All cities should have saved there systems but most converted to bus instead. Larry Hampton