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Stimulus funds eyed for transit projects
By Sue Doyle, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/18/2009 11:14:11 PM PST
Updated: 02/18/2009 11:15:16 PM PST
Hundreds of millions of dollars for new buses and car-pool projects that serve San Fernando Valley drivers are part of the Los Angeles County transportation agency's blueprint for spending its $1 billion share of federal stimulus dollars.
California is expected to receive $3.6 billion in highway and transit project funding under the $787 billion federal plan.
Metro's 13-member board will hash out the massive proposal at its monthly meeting next Thursday, but the transportation agency has laid down a spending outline.
"Much of this is still a moving target," said Metro board member Richard Katz, at Wednesday's planning and programming committee meeting. "We want to keep the process moving because the clock is ticking."
Metro is under a 120-day federal deadline to approve road and transit projects countywide that could be completed in three years, or it risks losing the money to the state where it will be redistributed.
Los Angeles County should receive about $1 billion, and it will compete for even more money, said David Yale, Metro's director of regional planning.
The largest chunk of Metro's proposal spends $264 million to buy 453 new buses. There's $20 million set aside to rehabilitate 200 buses and keep them operating. About $2 million is under consideration to build more exits and other safety improvements at Metro's 7th Street station for its Red Line subway.
There's $113 million set aside under Metro's plan for the county's 90 cities, which are lining up with projects to spend the money, from pothole repairs to traffic-light synchronization. Yale said Metro's board will likely consider increasing the money to $200 million or more.
The county transportation agency is considering a $200 million boost for a 10-mile car-pool lane project on the north 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass and another $200 million for a car-pool lane project on Interstate 5 between the 118 and 170 freeways. Those highway projects are close to going out to bids.
City leaders also are closely watching Sacramento to see what will happen with transportation funding as legislators battle over the state's $42 billion deficit.
Without knowing how much money to expect from the state, county officials are unsure how to proceed with some highway projects, which are typically paid for through a combination of federal, state and local dollars.
Stimulus funds eyed for transit projects
By Sue Doyle, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/18/2009 11:14:11 PM PST
Updated: 02/18/2009 11:15:16 PM PST
Hundreds of millions of dollars for new buses and car-pool projects that serve San Fernando Valley drivers are part of the Los Angeles County transportation agency's blueprint for spending its $1 billion share of federal stimulus dollars.
California is expected to receive $3.6 billion in highway and transit project funding under the $787 billion federal plan.
Metro's 13-member board will hash out the massive proposal at its monthly meeting next Thursday, but the transportation agency has laid down a spending outline.
"Much of this is still a moving target," said Metro board member Richard Katz, at Wednesday's planning and programming committee meeting. "We want to keep the process moving because the clock is ticking."
Metro is under a 120-day federal deadline to approve road and transit projects countywide that could be completed in three years, or it risks losing the money to the state where it will be redistributed.
Los Angeles County should receive about $1 billion, and it will compete for even more money, said David Yale, Metro's director of regional planning.
The largest chunk of Metro's proposal spends $264 million to buy 453 new buses. There's $20 million set aside to rehabilitate 200 buses and keep them operating. About $2 million is under consideration to build more exits and other safety improvements at Metro's 7th Street station for its Red Line subway.
There's $113 million set aside under Metro's plan for the county's 90 cities, which are lining up with projects to spend the money, from pothole repairs to traffic-light synchronization. Yale said Metro's board will likely consider increasing the money to $200 million or more.
The county transportation agency is considering a $200 million boost for a 10-mile car-pool lane project on the north 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass and another $200 million for a car-pool lane project on Interstate 5 between the 118 and 170 freeways. Those highway projects are close to going out to bids.
City leaders also are closely watching Sacramento to see what will happen with transportation funding as legislators battle over the state's $42 billion deficit.
Without knowing how much money to expect from the state, county officials are unsure how to proceed with some highway projects, which are typically paid for through a combination of federal, state and local dollars.
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