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The upcoming extension of the Expo Line in Santa Monica was being tested about noon today when a truck turned in front of the moving test train at 7th Street and Colorado Avenue. The westbound train derailed after hitting the truck, which Santa Monica police said had made the turn illegally from westbound Colorado onto southbound 7th. The truck driver went to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver and two other people were on the test train, and at least one complained of some pain, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Colorado Avenue was closed for awhile as men in vests gathered to contemplate the first accident on the Westside extension of the Expo Line.
We still don't know just when the Expo Line extension will open west of the current Culver City terminus. Curbed LA posted an item today saying the line could open in April or May of next year, based on a report by the Expo Line Construction Authority. But Metro's blog came back and posted that, since the authority still has yet to turn the train line over to Metro to operate, any dates are pure speculation. The Curbed item says that the handover could happen next week.
The Expo Line extension is separated from traffic along much of the route, but there are some segments within Santa Monica and at Westside crossings such as Barrington Avenue and Westwood Boulevard where the trains will be at street grade.
