Metrolink Service Canceled This Week For Major Upgrade Project

LOS ANGELES, CA — No Metrolink trains will run this week as the entire system is shut down for cleaning, repairs and upgrades.

All seven Metrolink lines, as well as the Arrow, will be suspended between Tuesday and Friday. Service will resume Saturday, Dec. 30, the agency said.

"Placing our system temporarily out of service was necessary to complete the final phase of a three-year modernization project at LA Union Station, which connects six of our seven lines and serves as the agency's central hub," Metrolink's Justin Fornelli said in a statement. "We'll be upgrading the signal system where trains enter and exit the station, but we're not stopping there.

"This unique break in service will allow us to tackle state-of-good-repair projects across multiple lines, as we work to deliver the safest, most reliable passenger rail experience possible."

Among the work planned:

• The replacement of 1930s-era signal-relay technology, which will allow Metrolink to run multiple trains on multiple tracks as they enter and exit Union Station, decreasing delays and improving safety.
• The repair of concrete train platforms
• Installation of more lighting in Union Station tunnels
• Thorough cleaning of platforms
• Track improvements on parts of the Antelope Valley and San Bernardino lines

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner will continue to operate during the closure, though trains will bypass Union Station.

Metro bus and rail lines will operate as normal.

City News Service contributed to this report.