2 Streets Will Be Closed to Facilitate Rail Line

The South Pasadena City Council on Wednesday agreed to close two streets that intersect with the Pasadena Blue Line, removing a potential obstacle that could have delayed the light-rail project.

The California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees crossings of rail lines, had requested the closures.

Commission staff members had informed the city that if the streets weren’t closed, a grade separation would have to be built at another site in South Pasadena.

Officials with the Blue Line had warned that construction of such a grade separation would raise the cost of the line by as much as $40 million and could even halt construction.