Los Angeles rejoices at the reopening of our beloved Angels Flight in Downtown LA. The funicular railway travels just 298 feet, taking passengers up the 33 percent grade from Hill Street up to California Plaza, which extends across to Grand Ave.
Originally built in 1901 half a block down the street next to the 3rd Street tunnel, Angels Flight was dismantled and put into storage in 1969 when Bunker Hill was developed into a modern commercial center. After 27 years, a new track was built at the current site on Hill Street half way between 3rd and 4th, and the original cars went back into operation in 1996. The redesigned transport system was blamed for a 2001 accident which killed a man and injured 7 others. It's been a long road back, but the uphill train with a new counterbalance transport structure finally passed all its safety inspections and reopened to the public March 15, 2010.
Angels Flight operates from 6:45 am to 10 pm, 365 days a year. The fare to ride in either direction is still just 25 cents. To reach Angels Flight by Metro, take the Red Line to Pershing Square and exit toward 4th Street.