Two rail projects to get federal funding consideration, Gold Line left out - Pasadena Star-News
Two rail projects to get federal funding consideration, Gold Line left out
Posted: 09/24/2009 01:23:34 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES - County transit officials approved a request for federal funding for two county rail projects, the Westside's "Subway to the Sea," and a connector project that would link several existing lines.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted unanimously to recommend the projects for funding in the federal "New Starts" programs, which funds rail projects all over the country.
At previous meetings, several board members had pushed the idea of including the 24-mile Gold Line Foothill Extension line in the request, but a motion to do that was withdrawn at Thursday's meeting.
The regional connector project would have some benefits for the San Gabriel Valley: it will connect the Gold Line directly to several other lines, making it possible for riders to one day go directly from Pasadena to Long Beach, Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport.
MTA officials have said the connector could cut the commute to Long Beach by as much as 21 minutes by eliminating the need for riders to switch rail lines twice.
It also could mean a one-seat trip from Pasadena to Culver City along the Exposition Line, which is slated to eventually extend to there.
The board may consider a motion next month to direct MTA staff to look for other pots of federal money for the Gold Line.
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