Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project Competes for $25 Million (Source: LASI | Los Angeles Streetcar Inc.)

Link: LASI | Los Angeles Streetcar Inc. » Blog Archive » Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project Competes for $25 Million

Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project Competes for $25 Million
posted by admin
February 19, 2010
Securing federal funds has been a top priority for LASI, and we just submitted a $25 million federal grant application for streetcar funding to enhance the livability and sustainability of Downtown L.A. The federal government made a significant pool of resources available for streetcar projects through a competitive application process, and this funding source does not compete with other transit projects in L.A. Grant awards will be announced in Summer 2010.

Metro Board meeting preview (Source: thesource.metro.net)

The Source » Metro Board meeting preview

Posted by Steve Hymon on February 24, 2010 - 3:17 pm
Metro Board meeting preview

The Metro Board of Directors have their monthly meeting at Metro headquarters in downtown Thursday at 9:30 a.m. I’ll be there to cover the meeting and here’s quick look at the agenda and some of the decisions the Board is scheduled to make:

Item 5 expands the draft environmental impact report for the Downtown Connector to consider the train going under Alameda Street with a new underground station in Little Tokyo. Here’s a recent post.

Item 18 would approve a comprehensive audit of the money that Metro spends on litigation. There will likely be some debate among Board Members over the need for an audit, its cost and who would perform an audit if approved.

Item 34 would make Metro the lead agency in the environmental review of the city of Los Angeles’ downtown streetcar project.

Item 47 would allow for a delay of up to 19 months in implementing Metro’s Express Lanes project on parts of the 10 and 110 freeways. Here’s yesterday’s post about that issue.


-- Steve Hymon

LA Mayor Villaraigosa asks Congress for bridge loan to build 'Subway to the Sea' (Source: 89.3 KPCC)

Link: LA Mayor Villaraigosa asks Congress for bridge loan to build 'Subway to the Sea' | 89.3 KPCC

LA Mayor Villaraigosa asks Congress for bridge loan to build 'Subway to the Sea'

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is in Washington this week for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He began his trip with a day-long lobbying effort on Capitol Hill, making an unusual pitch.

Villaraigosa wants to build the “Subway to the Sea” within 10 years

The problem is that it will take three times that long for a voter-approved half-cent sales tax to pay for it.

The mayor is trying to convince Washington to guarantee a “bridge loan” that would pay for faster construction. He says his pitch is unique, that "at a time when almost states and most cities are going to Washington with one hand open, we’re going with money in one hand and an open hand for a partnership in the other."

The problem is that the federal government has never guaranteed a “bridge loan” like the one the mayor wants. But Villaraigosa says Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was interested in the idea.

The mayor will make his pitch to members of the California Congressional delegation and the most powerful transportation man in Congress, James Oberstar of Minnesota; he c

Clock’s Ticking on Expo Phase II Lawsuit. Opponents Vow to Get it Filed by Next Week. (Source: Streetsblog Los Angeles)

Link: Streetsblog Los Angeles » Clock’s Ticking on Expo Phase II Lawsuit. Opponents Vow to Get it Filed by Next Week.

Clock’s Ticking on Expo Phase II Lawsuit. Opponents Vow to Get it Filed by Next Week.

by Damien Newton on February 23, 2010

The future home of Expo Light Rail? Facing East on Sepulveda and Exposition.
Photo: LA Streetsblog/Flickr

Anyone awaiting word on whether the group fighting to stop or reconfigure Phase II of the Expo Line would file lawsuit doesn't have to wait until March 6, the last day they can file to legally challenge the certification of the Environmental Impact Statement approved by the Expo Board on February 4. At a meeting of Neighbors for Smart Rail last week, the organization was collecting checks and promising from the podium that a legal filing was in the works.

Reports vary on the amount of people in attendance at last weekend vary, but range upward to 250 attendees, almost all of whom were vocal about their opposition to the line. In addition to the lawsuit, the Neighbors for Smart Rail are planning a grassroots effort to inform the community, both residences and businesses, that the Expo Line will go through West L.A. at-grade. After the jump, you can read a full summary of the meeting from the "West of Westwood Homeowner's Association" an organization that is supportive of Neighbors for Smart Rail.

I want to thank the over 250 people who attended the NFSR meeting yesterday.

It was nice to see new faces but it was concerning to see how many people STILL did not know that if we do nothing the train would be coming through at grade (street level) in 5 years. Many thought it was going below grade or around us.

Soon we will be putting up lawns signs soon to let not only the residents but also the business community know that the train is coming at grade.

We encourage you to invite your neighbors and friends to a coffee. At this informal setting they will learn what the impact of a train running through here at grade every 2 1/2 minutes will have on them. Please let us know when you will have a coffee and we will have a representative there to help you. (Please see attached flyer)

We also need people to go door to door talking one on one with their neighbors. We will be having a meeting for anyone (included those who already signed up) interested in doing this. You will receive a packet with instructions and talking points.

We will also visual demonstrate the impact on traffic on the train at grade will have on our already congested streets and how it will increasing cut-through traffic. I have been contacted by both print and TV press to ask when we will be holding our demonstration.

We will be filing our lawsuit soon. Please remember we cannot do this alone we need your support.

EVERYONE MUST HELP

We know times are challenging right now. Attached is a Donation Pledge form that will allow you to make monthly payments. You can write a check or go to smartrail.org and click donate. We are trying to make it as easy as possible for you to donate.

Because we are tax deductable we are keeping a list of who contributes what.

What is the cost of NOT increasing cut-through traffic in our community
What is the cost of having emergency vehicles able to reach you without an added delay of waiting for a train to pass
What is the cost to be able to get on to Overland, Westwood, Military and Sepulveda from our homes
What is the cost of a good night's sleep not hearing bells and whistles
What is the cost of our children's safety

PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make a donation NOW or be ready for the impact of Expo at grade in our community.

Companies to build high-speed rail cars in the US (Source: CSMonitor.com)

Link: Companies to build high-speed rail cars in the US / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com

Companies to build high-speed rail cars in the US

With a high-speed passenger rail network proposed for the US, companies are gearing up to build the equipment on American soil.

 If the United States gets high-speed passenger rail, as is already common in Europe, the equipment could be manufactured in the US, not overseas, say industry observers.

By Mark Clayton Staff writer / February 19, 2010

It's been decades since iconic American companies such as Budd and Pullman built passenger-train cars that let Americans sleep or dine in comfort as they rolled across country by rail.
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* Obama's high-speed rail plan: Which states get the money?
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But President Obama's $8 billion plan to kick-start high-speed rail construction in 13 areas around the country has US and foreign companies announcing plans to expand or build new factories to produce equipment for these passenger trains.

On Thursday, American Railcar Industries, a St. Charles, Mo.-based freight car manufacturer owned by investor Carl Icahn, announced a joint venture with Columbus, Ohio-based US Railcar to again manufacture passenger cars in the United States, at least initially at facilities in Arkansas.

"One of US Railcar Co.'s goals is to reestablish American-owned passenger train production in the United States," said Barry Fromm, one of the directors of the joint venture, in a statement.

The same day, the US rail division of German conglomerate Siemens AG announced that it had completed purchase of 20 acres of land adjacent to its existing 34-acre light-rail manufacturing plant in Sacramento, Calif. That new land would be the site for manufacturing high-speed-rail passenger trains traveling at up to 220 miles per hour.

"Siemens is ready to not only bring its proven high-speed-train technology to market, but also to build the systems right here in the United States," said Oliver Hauck, president of Siemens Mobility in the US.

Other deals are in the works as well. In December, freight locomotive giant GE announced plans to build a next-generation passenger locomotive capable of hitting 124 miles per hour. It is also developing even faster electric-powered locomotives in a joint venture with China's Ministry of Railways. At least 80 percent of the content for those trains would be from US suppliers and all final assembly would be in the US.

Spanish high-speed train manufacturer Talgo announced last summer would set up an assembly plant that would employ 80 workers in Wisconsin to meet a $47 million deal with the state to supply two trains. Close observers of that deal say that could now expand, with the company seeking to supply high-speed trains around the country.

"It's the perfect marriage of smart, 21st-century transportation investment and job creation right here at home," said Bruce Speight, director, Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group.

Meanwhile, French energy and transport company Alstom SA, whose factory in Hornell, N.Y., is one of the largest passenger rail facilities in the country, is reportedly pursuing high-speed rail contracts.

High-speed rail is arriving at a critical "tipping point" that could radically spur growth of passenger rail manufacturing, says Art Guzzetti, vice president of policy for the American Public Transportation Association, a Washington-based association of public transportation providers nationwide.

Today the market for commuter-rail systems has nearly doubled since 1992 to a roughly $2.4 billion market. Commuter-rail systems have grown from nine in 1980 to 25 today. Light-rail systems have grown from seven in 1980 to 36 today.

Beyond the need for new equipment for high-speed rail, many of the light rail and commuter systems in the US are aging, and Amtrak recently announced that it would finally begin replacing its aging rail cars and locomotives.

"There is a tipping point that we're very close to," Mr. Guzzetti said. "We're at a point where we have a big market now where there wasn't one before. Now add to that high-speed rail.... All these things point to huge growth in public transportation."

For long-time observers, these moves are more than welcome news, they represent what could become the beginning of an industry rebirth.

"We have underinvested in intercity passenger rail since the 1950s," said Thomas Simpson,of Railway Supply Institute, a Washington trade group for railway equipment manufacturers. "At long last, some recognition has come, and companies are seeing there are real opportunities here."

There's hope that the shift will create badly needed US manufacturing jobs. The Department of Transportation in December unveiled a list of 30 rail manufacturers and suppliers it described as committed to "establish or expand their base of operations in the United States and American manufacturing jobs" if chosen to supply high-speed rail or intercity passenger equipment.

Today coverage of the Metro Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 begins with a roundup of articles.

Article 1

Link: The Source » Eastside Phase 2 meetings begin tonight

Eastside Phase 2 meetings began on February 22, 2010

The public can get the latest news on plans to improve transit in the area east of the Eastside Gold Line extension. Four alternatives are being studied as part of a draft environmental impact report: 1) extending the light rail line along the 60 freeway to South El Monte; 2) extending the light rail line mostly along Washington Blvd. to Whittier; 3) improving bus service in the area, and; 4) not doing anything.

The project is due to get $1.27 billion from the Measure R sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008 and the long-range plan adopted by the Metro Board of Directors last year has a project being completed in the mid 2030s.

The first meeting is being held tonight in Pico Rivera. Three other meetings are scheduled between now and the end of the month.

All the details are after the jump. Here’s a link to the project website and the project also has a Facebook page.

Metro sets environmental community scoping meetings Feb. 22-27 for Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project

As environmental work continues for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project, Metro will hold four community scoping meetings on February 22-27 in Pico Rivera, South El Monte, Montebello and Whittier to review two build alternatives: light rail transit via State Route 60 and on Washington Boulevard in addition to a transportation systems management (improving bus services), and a no-build alternative.

The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project area consists of portions of eight jurisdictions including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

The scoping meetings are the first step in the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (DEIS/DEIR) in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The public will learn about the proposed project, provide input on the alternatives and the evaluation process used to identify and mitigate environmental impacts.

The four community meetings will be held on:

Monday, February 22
Pio Pico Women’s Center
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
9214 Mines Avenue
Pico Rivera

Wednesday, February 24
South El Monte Senior Center (dining room)
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
1556 Central Avenue
South El Monte

Thursday, February 25
Senior Center at City Park, South Wing
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
115 South Taylor Avenue
Montebello

Saturday, February 27
The Salvation Army Santa Fe Springs (Studio 12000)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
12000 East Washington Boulevard
Whittier

The format of the meetings will include an open house followed by a presentation to inform participants of the environmental process and provide an opportunity to ask questions about the study and submit comments.

Since 2007, Metro has conducted an Alternative Analysis (AA) and has prepared supplemental technical studies to identify feasible routes to extend the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension to cities farther east of Los Angeles.

Every day, approximately 50,000 commuting trips leave the area bound for central Los Angeles and 115,000 daily work trips are made within the study area, itself. These existing conditions, combined with projected population growth of 24 percent and employment growth of 15 percent over the next 30 years, illustrate the need for additional transit alternatives.

If members of the public are unable to attend any of the scoping meetings they may still submit comments by mail, fax or e-mail. The comments must be received by April 14, 2010.

For questions about technical information related to this project contact Kimberly Yu, Metro Planning Project Manager, Metro Planning, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-22-2, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, or e-mail: yuki@metro.net

For questions about public outreach or any community concerns contact Ann Kerman, Constituent Program Manager, Metro Regional Communications, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, or e-mail: kermana@metro.net. To learn more about this project, visit Metro’s website at www.metro.net/eastsidephase2 and Facebook.com/Metroeastsidephase2.

-- Steve Hymon

Article 2

Link: Metro | projects | Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2

Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2

Metro has completed the Alternatives Analysis (AA) study that evaluates potential alternatives for the second phase of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension. The goal of the proposed study is to improve mobility in the corridor by connecting to communities further east of Los Angeles.

Communities in the study area include: Bell, Commerce, Downey, El Monte, Industry, Los Angeles, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier and the unincorporated portions of LA County.

Facts about the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2:

* Metro is recommending the advancement of two light rail transit (LRT) alternatives into the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) for further technical and environmental review

* The two light rail alternatives are: State Route 60 and Washington Bl

* In addition, Metro will also study a No Build Alternative and a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative (i.e. service improvements to existing bus lines) in the Draft EIS/EIR

* The Beverly Boulevard and Beverly/Whittier Boulevards alternatives will not be recommended for further study

Article 3

Link: Extending the Gold Line Eastward Even Further - LAist

Extending the Gold Line Eastward Even Further

Two routes are under consideration for this phase

The Gold Line Eastside Extension just opened last November, but Metro is already working on extending the line even further from its East L.A. terminus (and not to be confused with the Gold Line's Foothill Extension, which will break ground this summer continuing it east from Pasadena). Someday, L.A. County residents could be hitting the rails to South El Monte or down to Whittier.

In January 2009, Metro was considering four routes, but has whittled them down to two, along with the options of doing nothing or improving bus service in the area. In order for them to proceed, they must meet with the public and gather input about the current plan. Meetings are scheduled for next week:

Monday, February 22
Pio Pico Women’s Center
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
9214 Mines Avenue
Pico Rivera

Wednesday, February 24
South El Monte Senior Center (dining room)
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
1556 Central Avenue
South El Monte

Thursday, February 25
Senior Center at City Park, South Wing
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
115 South Taylor Avenue
Montebello

Saturday, February 27
The Salvation Army Santa Fe Springs (Studio 12000)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
12000 East Washington Boulevard
Whittier

By Zach Behrens in News on February 19, 2010 4:15 PM

Mayor pushes for Subway to the Sea, 'regional connector' (Source: LA Daily News)

Mayor pushes for Subway to the Sea, 'regional connector' - LA Daily News

Mayor pushes for Subway to the Sea, 'regional connector'
Daily News Wire Services
Updated: 02/19/2010 11:42:50 PM PST

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Friday urged Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to provide federal funding for a segment of the so-called Subway to the Sea, as well as a "regional connector" that would link several light-rail lines through downtown.

LaHood was in Los Angeles, along with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., as part of a nationwide tour to solicit public opinion on which projects should be prioritized in the next surface transportation bill.

"We're hoping that as you reconsider the reauthorization (of the transportation bill), that you look to the fact that we're not only the city with the dirtiest air, the worst traffic in the United States of America, we're also a city and a county that has approved investing taxpayer money in transportation," Villaraigosa told LaHood, referring to Measure R.

The first project endorsed by the mayor would extend the Purple Line - which currently ends at Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue - by 8.7 miles.

The subway extension would be built under Wilshire Boulevard and pass through Beverly Hills and Century City before ending in Westwood.

The extension is projected to cost $4.1 billion, which would be raised over 30 years through Measure R, a half-percent city sales tax increase approved by voters.

If enough funding could be secured - not only from the federal government but also from the private sector - Villaraigosa wants to extend the subway to the Pacific Ocean. Building
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the entire Subway to the Sea is projected to cost $6.1 billion.

Lisa Hansen with the mayor's press office said if enough federal funding can be secured, the money could be used either to build the entire Subway to the Sea over 30 years, or extend the subway to Westwood in 10 years.

The second project is a 1.7-mile, light-rail line connection in downtown Los Angeles, from First and Alameda streets to Seventh and Figueroa streets.

The projects, which would create thousands of temporary construction jobs, are among a dozen that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is hoping to implement over 30 years.

Villaraigosa, however, wants to create a public-private partnership that could finish the projects in 10 years.

Metro Committee Approves Study of New Regional Connector Plan (Source: Rafu Shimpo)

Link: Metro Committee Approves Study of New Regional Connector Plan – Rafu Shimpo

Metro Committee Approves Study of New Regional Connector Plan


By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFU ENGLISH EDITOR

Little Tokyo community members expressed support for a fully underground Metro Regional Connector on Thursday at a meeting of Metro’s Planning and Programming Committee. The committee voted unanimously to approve the inclusion of the new conceptual alternative for study in the draft environmental impact statement/report (DEIS/R).

The Regional Connector, if built, would create an almost two-mile transit link between the Metro Gold and Metro Blue Line light rail transit systems through downtown Los Angeles. The new alternative, a refinement of the underground alternative, eliminates the at-grade crossing for trains at Alameda and First Streets and an underpass for car traffic.

Two build alternatives, a partially underground and an at-grade alternative, were both vigorously opposed by Little Tokyo community members.

The new alternative would also add an additional $200 to $300 million to the cost of the project, budgeted at $910 million in 2008 dollars. Doug Failing, Metro chief planner, told the committee that the new alternative addressed problems with earlier proposals for the connector but also raised new challenges.

“We’ve had several options on the downtown connector that I was very unhappy with because they were incompatible with the stated objectives of the connector, they were operationally deficient,” said Failing. “We have an option now which may work and may allow us to achieve our objectives. However it may add cost on the order of $200 million. Because we have a project budget that is embedded in Measure R, we would need to find an equal amount of savings in this project by perhaps deleting a station or other reductions in cost.”

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky questions Metro staff about cost increases on the Regional Connector.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, a member of the committee, questioned Metro staff about the estimates which bring the additional cost to between $200 to $300 million.

“Did I hear you say $200 to $300 million? The number I had received from my staff was $200 million, we never heard the figure $300 million,” Yaroslavsky asked.

Dolores Roybal Saltarelli, project manager, explained the figures accounted for two variations for portals that would allow trains to surface and connect to both the Metro Eastside Extension and the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena. Variation 1 locates a portal on First Street between Alameda and Garey Streets. Little Tokyo Variation 2, the more expensive option, locates two narrower portals on First Street between Alameda and Vignes Streets. She also noted that Variation 2 is opposed by Nishi Hongwanji Temple because of its close proximity.

More than 20 members of Little Tokyo and downtown communities offered statements of support for the new alternative during the public comments section, including representatives from Councilmembers Jan Perry and Jose Huizar’s offices.

“We strongly request that this new completely underground alternative be included in the study,” said Chris Aihara, co-chair of the Little Tokyo Community Council transit committee. “We approve of the concept of transit, however we are not in favor of the build alternatives as proposed, we feel they would have a destructive impact on our community.”

Others speaking for the new underground alternative included, Dennis Allen, Los Angeles Streetcar Inc.; William Briones, Nishi Hongwanji Temple; Jonathan Kaji, Nikkei Center LLC; Mike Okamoto, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California; Satoru Uyeda, Uyeda Department Store; Yukio Kawaratani, Little Tokyo Historical Society; Kristin Fukushima, Pacific Southwest District, Japanese American Citizens League; Russell Brown, president of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, and Adele Yellin, widow of noted downtown developer Ira Yellin.

The Metro board will take up the committee’s recommendation at its meeting next Thursday, Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. If approved by the Metro board, the new alternative would be studied in the DEIS/R that would be completed this summer. The Metro board will decide on a preferred alternative in the fall.