Other Highlights
MAYOR ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
City of Los Angeles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2009
CONTACT:
Lisa Hansen
213-978-0658
WILSHIRE SUBWAY & REGIONAL CONNECTOR WILL PURSUE FEDERAL ‘NEW STARTS’ FUNDING
Both projects moved forward by Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board.
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board of Directors today unanimously approved the Wilshire Subway and Regional Connector as the region's priorities in seeking federal transit funding.
"These two projects will carry tens of thousands of passengers each day, while cleaning up our air and reducing traffic congestion for everyone," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “They also will create thousands of good jobs, and with 13.7% unemployment in the City my priority is to break ground and get people to work as soon as possible."
The MTA will now seek Section 5309 New Starts funding for both projects as part of the re-authorization of the federal surface transportation bill, also known as the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFTEA-LU).
"We are optimistic that these projects will earn support from the President and Congress as they work toward a new authorization bill,” Villaraigosa added. "On top of making trips faster for riders every day, they will add connectivity to the California high speed rail project that includes a station in downtown Los Angeles.”
The Wilshire subway project will extend 8.7 miles from its current terminus at Wilshire/Western to UCLA/Westwood, connecting job centers and cultural destinations including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the City of Beverly Hills, and Century City.
Every day between 95,000 and 115,000 people are expected to ride the Wilshire subway. An estimated 64% of riders will come from areas outside the Westside, including from the Eastside, San Gabriel Valley and Long Beach areas.
Travel times will be reduced by 20-30 minutes each way for people going to and from the Westside from places such as Koreatown, downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, east LA, south LA, and connecting from the Red Line subway to the San Fernando Valley.
The subway will reduce congestion on the 10 Freeway and give transit-dependent residents a faster and more efficient alternative to buses.
The Regional Connector will be a 1.7-mile light rail connection between First/Alameda and 7th/Figueroa. Light rail patrons will save 12-20 minutes each way with transfer-free service connecting the Long Beach Blue Line, Pasadena Gold Line, Eastside Extension, and Exposition Line. The project is expected to encourage new riders to use the light rail system and generate 16,000 new systemwide boardings each day.
"Both the subway extension and regional connector were approved by voters in Measure R, and I am working every day to deliver these projects faster by leveraging and accelerating funding,” Villaraigosa concluded.
A half-cent sales tax for local transportation projects, Measure R was passed in 2008 and includes both transit and highway improvement projects. Mayor Villaraigosa has made implementing the Measure R transit projects a top priority for his second term. He is currently the second vice chair of the MTA Board and is chair every three years.
For additional information about either project please go to www.metro.net/westside and www.metro.net/regionalconnector.