When the 1997 disaster film Volcano depicted lava erupting along Wilshire Boulevard and referenced blasting during Red Line subway construction, it delivered gripping cinema — but not accurate engineering.

In reality, Los Angeles Metro did not rely on large-scale blasting to construct subway tunnels beneath Wilshire Boulevard and the Miracle Mile. Instead, engineers used tunnel boring machines (TBMs) specifically to avoid the very risks Hollywood dramatized.

Why Blasting Was Avoided

The Wilshire Corridor sits atop historic oil fields, making methane gas pockets a known and serious concern. A deadly methane explosion near Fairfax Avenue in 1985 led to heightened scrutiny of underground construction in the area. Blasting in such conditions could have caused unpredictable gas releases, ground instability, or damage to surface structures.

As a result, Metro engineers chose pressurized, closed-face tunnel boring machines, which allow for:

• Controlled excavation in dense urban environments

• Continuous ground support to prevent settlement

• Integrated gas detection and ventilation systems

These machines grind slowly through soil and rock while installing precast concrete tunnel linings, creating a sealed, gas-resistant structure as they advance.

The Real Engineering Feat

Although Volcano took creative liberties for dramatic effect, the true story of tunneling under Wilshire is no less impressive. Advances in TBM technology and methane mitigation ultimately allowed the Metro D Line (formerly the Red Line/Purple Line) to safely pass through one of Los Angeles’ most geologically complex corridors — without explosions, collapsing streets, or cinematic chaos.

Bottom Line

Volcano remains a memorable piece of 1990s disaster cinema, but its portrayal of subway construction is fiction. The real achievement lies in decades of careful planning, modern tunneling technology, and engineering solutions that quietly reshaped Los Angeles beneath its busiest boulevard.

Related Links:

• LA Metro – D Line (Purple Line) Extension Project
• Engineering News-Record: Tunneling Through Gas and Tar in LA
• Los Angeles Times Archive: Methane Risk and Subway Construction

Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story — A Closer Look at the Documentary and Its Uncredited Voice

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Last Updated on September 6, 2025 by Daily News Staff

A Personal Perspective:

Hey there, I’m Rod. On my YouTube channel, I go by Railfan Rod because I’ve always been fascinated by transportation—especially trains, but also planes and automobiles. Growing up in Los Angeles, I witnessed both the decline and the rebirth of Los Angeles public transportation.

Today, I’m launching a new podcast series and a dedicated urbanism section on Daily News to share stories, reflections, and interviews about the challenges and resistance to mass transit in America. Through these conversations, I hope to highlight how transportation shapes our cities, our environment, and our daily lives.

A Growing Mass Transit Consciousness

In recent years, public sentiment has started to shift in favor of mass transit. More Angelenos—and Americans in general—are realizing that cars alone cannot solve our transportation problems. With worsening congestion, rising fuel prices, and environmental concerns, the demand for sustainable and efficient alternatives is stronger than ever.

Los Angeles public transportation is expanding to meet that need. Every new rail line, bus rapid transit project, and infrastructure investment brings us closer to a city where mobility is cleaner, more efficient, and more equitable.

👉 Learn more from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) about the benefits of public transit.

Looking Back: The Push for LA Metro in the 1970s

I vividly remember the debate in the 1970s about reintroducing rail transit to Los Angeles. At the time, the city was struggling with gridlocked freeways and dangerous levels of smog. Visionary leadership came from Mayor Tom Bradley, Los Angeles’ first African-American mayor, who championed plans to create a modern LA Metro system.

His vision was bold: revitalize downtown Los Angeles while building a transit network of light rail, subways, and improved bus service. These ideas laid the foundation for what would eventually become LA Metro history.

In 1990, the opening of the Metro Blue Line marked a turning point. It was the first rail line of the modern Metro system and symbolized Los Angeles’ commitment to mass transit after decades of car-centered planning.

👉 Watch the 1990 Metro Blue Line Grand Opening and Mobility Promo

Opposition and the Freeway Mentality

Not everyone embraced this vision. Many argued that the solution was simply to keep building more freeways. But decades of freeway expansion proved ineffective—traffic congestion only grew worse.

For a deeper look at L.A.’s forgotten streetcars, check out the Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California.

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Mass transit, by contrast, offers lasting solutions:

• Reduced traffic on overcrowded roads

• Cleaner air and reduced emissions

• Greater accessibility for all residents

• Stronger, more connected communities

To move forward, Los Angeles must continue challenging misconceptions and expanding its commitment to sustainable public transportation.

A Lifelong Passion for Transit

My passion for transit began when I was a kid. I’d spend hours playing with toy cars and model trains, imagining a city where trains, buses, and planes worked together seamlessly. Growing up near the rail lines that served the Port of Los Angeles only deepened my love for transportation.

Though Los Angeles dismantled its once world-class streetcar network in favor of buses and freeways, the remnants remind us of what was lost—and what can still be rebuilt. A stronger, greener, more connected Los Angeles public transportation system is within our reach, and it’s a future worth fighting for.

Visit https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge/urbanism/ for the latest articles and videos.

Last Updated on September 4, 2025 by Daily News Staff

The future of the California High-Speed Rail project continues to hang in the balance as new funding cuts, legal challenges, and legislative hurdles intensify the fight over America’s most ambitious transportation project.

More Federal Funding Pulled

The Trump administration has escalated its efforts to derail the project, announcing in late August that it will cancel an additional $175 million in federal funding previously allocated for grade separations, overcrossings, station design, and the Madera station. This move comes on top of the $4 billion in federal grants already revoked earlier this summer, dealing another heavy blow to the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) financial stability.

👉 Read more from The Guardian

👉 Full coverage from San Francisco Chronicle

👉 Reuters: U.S. cancels another $175 million

California Pushes Back in Court

On July 17, 2025, California filed a federal lawsuit challenging the termination of funding agreements, arguing that the federal government’s actions are unlawful and politically motivated. CHSRA insists that construction progress in the Central Valley demonstrates the project’s viability, and state officials argue billions already invested should not be wasted because of shifting political winds.

Legislative Efforts Falter

Meanwhile, at the state level, an attempt to streamline permitting and right-of-way approvals for rail construction—Senate Bill 445—recently failed in the Assembly’s “suspense file” process. Opponents raised concerns about cost and oversight, while supporters argued the bill was necessary to speed progress on long-delayed segments.

At the same time, California lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 377, requiring CHSRA to present a detailed funding plan for the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment in its 2026 business plan. The plan must identify funding sources, timelines, and risk assessments, adding pressure on CHSRA to demonstrate financial credibility.

Construction Progress Continues

Despite the political and financial turmoil, construction has not stopped. CHSRA recently issued invitations for bids on track and system components set to begin installation in 2026. In addition, the Avenue 88 grade separation in Tulare County—marking the 57th completed structure and the **7th opened to traffic this year—**shows visible progress across the Central Valley.

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What’s at Stake

The latest developments raise several key questions:

Can California close its multi-billion-dollar funding gap without federal support? Will lawsuits succeed in reversing the funding cuts? How will continued construction progress weigh against political and financial obstacles? What lessons will this battle leave for future U.S. infrastructure projects?

For now, workers continue building in the Central Valley while lawyers and politicians clash over the project’s fate. The next several months may prove decisive in determining whether the California High-Speed Rail becomes the backbone of a modernized transportation system—or a cautionary tale of ambition derailed by politics.

Related links:

Trump administration pulls another $175m from California’s high-speed rail – The Guardian ‘

Absolutely brain dead’: High-speed rail advocates push back as Trump administration cuts more funding – San Francisco Chronicle

US cancelling another $175 million in California high-speed rail projects – Reuters

California High-Speed Rail Authority: Federal Grants – CHSRA Official Site

High-speed rail bill dies in Legislature’s suspense file – CalMatters

Related Articles

California High-Speed Rail Fights Back: CHSRA’s Forceful Response to Federal Defunding Threat – the main story providing in-depth context on the funding clash and CHSRA’s rebuttal.

Putting jobs first: California High-Speed Rail crosses 13,000 construction jobs milestone – highlights the project’s ongoing economic and employment impact.

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