A lawsuit filed Thursday by opponents of proposed tracks for Los Angeles’ downtown Red Line dubbed the “Zipper Streetcar” claims the city is violating a local environmental law by not providing proper stormwater protections for the tracks at the curb.
The lawsuit, in addition to seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions against city action, also contends the tracks could potentially impact residents of the area, especially those with cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other chronic pulmonary conditions.
The 200-foot-long tracks for the streetcar would be above ground, and will not require any man-made structures at the curb.
The rails will be laid in the median of the northbound lanes of 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Drivers are unlikely to see any changes to their commute anytime soon because the tracks are still under construction. The organization behind the project, AEG, is hoping construction on the project will begin by next fall.
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