Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Metro Rail Project aerial photographs collection
23-DPGTL
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Library and Archives
Title: Southern California Rapid Transit District collection of Metro Rail Project aerial photographs
Creator:
Southern California Rapid Transit District
Creator:
Teledyne Geotronics
Identifier/Call Number: 23-DPGTL
Physical Description:
0.834 linear feet,
2 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1981-1983
Abstract: This collection holds black and white aerial photographs taken between 1981 and 1983 as part of early planning for Metro Rail
construction in Los Angeles. The photographs of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, North Hollywood and Mid-Wilshire were taken
for SCRTD by Long Beach-based contractor Teledyne.
Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact LACMTA Research Library and Archive to make an appointment.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the LACMTA Research Library and Archive. Permission for reproduction
or publication is given on behalf of the LACMTA Research Library and Archive as the owner of the physical items. The researcher
assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the
LACMTA Research Library and Archive collections.
[Identification of item], Southern California Rapid Transit District collection of Metro Rail Project aerial photographs,
23-DPGTL. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Research Library and Archive.
Found partially processed; processing completed by Noah Geraci, September 2016.
Planning for Metro rail service formally began in 1975 with SCRTD's formation of a Rapid Transit Advisory Committee to identify
a starter line for rail rapid transit. In 1979, a Draft Environment Impact Report/Alternatives Analysis was released for a
rail starter line that would eventually become the Metro Red Line subway. In 1980, a majority of Los Angeles County voters
approved Proposition A, a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, with 35% of revenue dedicated for rail construction.
With this funding secured, rail planning began in earnest in the early 1980s. It was at this time that SCRTD contracted Long
Beach-based industrial conglomerate Teledyne for aerial photography of relevant sites. The geographic focus of these photographs
appears to align with original plans for a route that proceeded west from Downtown Los Angeles underneath Wilshire Boulevard,
then followed Fairfax Avenue north to Sunset Boulevard, backtracking east to Cahuenga Boulevard, and finally travelled northwest
to the terminus at North Hollywood station.
In 1985, the Ross Dress for Less methane gas explosion at Fairfax and Third, related to seepage from the underground Salt
Lake Oil Field, prompted changes in funding and plans for the rail project based on safety concerns. The planned route was
changed to avoid the mid-Wilshire area. Construction on a five station "starter line" subway in downtown Los Angeles began
in 1986.
This collection consists of 10x10” black and white aerial photographs of the Los Angeles area, created for SCRTD by Teledyne
Electronics as part of early planning for the Metro Rail project. The photographs depict downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood,
North Hollywood and Mid-Wilshire, and include eventual sites of Red Line construction. Some photographs contain handwritten
markings and annotations.
The materials are arranged in original order at the folder level.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
SCRTD records were passed to LACMTA in the 1993 merger.
This repository holds the following additional collections related to Metro Rail planning and construction:
- 03-DPGTL LACMTA Collection of Metro Red Line Construction Progress Photographs
- 20-DPGTL Southern California Rapid Transit District collection of Metro Rail artist's renderings
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Local transit -- California -- Los Angeles County
Local transit -- Design and construction -- California -- Los Angeles County
Aerial photography in railroad surveying -- California -- Los Angeles County