Prioritization of Transportation Projects

[bluelineshawn]

Wasn't the prioritization of planned MTA projects supposed to be finalized this month?

Anyone know the status?

[kenalpern]

I believe the horsetrading and the scoping sessions and the politicking begins now. I do hope, however, that clearer heads prevail, and that the Constrained Plan becomes:

1) Expo to the Sea
2) Crenshaw Corridor
3) Downtown Light Rail Connector

It's up to the Gold and Green Line constituencies to expand those projects, but the above list is what makes the most sense to the county.

[masonite]

kenalpern said:

I believe the horsetrading and the scoping sessions and the politicking begins now. I do hope, however, that clearer heads prevail, and that the Constrained Plan becomes:

1) Expo to the Sea
2) Crenshaw Corridor
3) Downtown Light Rail Connector

It's up to the Gold and Green Line constituencies to expand those projects, but the above list is what makes the most sense to the county.

That may be the case, but I'd like to flip/flop #2 and #3. Not sure how Crenshaw got to the top of the list or even what its projected cost per passenger mile is, I just don't think it quite helps add to the system the same as a Downtown Connector or Purple Line Extension to Fairfax would as it doesn't serve any real major job centers other than LAX I suppose and it doesn't add passengers to other lines, except for Expo somewhat, to which it only connects to at its end. Just my two cents.

[bluelineshawn]

Expo to Santa Monica is a no-brainer. I'd put the downtown connector 2nd, even though it will be difficult to sell the rest of the county on the fact that downtown needs two subways before most of the county gets any rail at all. I'd say:

1. Expo phase 2
2. Downtown connector
3. Purple line west
4. Green line extension to LAX and north
5. Crenshaw light rail

[Dan Wentzel]

bluelineshawn said:

Expo to Santa Monica is a no-brainer. I'd put the downtown connector 2nd, even though it will be difficult to sell the rest of the county on the fact that downtown needs two subways before most of the county gets any rail at all. I'd say:

1. Expo phase 2
2. Downtown connector
3. Purple line west
4. Green line extension to LAX and north
5. Crenshaw light rail

Well, since the topic is up, I'm hoping the recent Westside Transit Corridor Extension forums raised the profile of a possible Santa Monica Blvd. alignment (heavy or light), to Century City, down La Cienega or San Vicente to the Crenshaw alignment or whatever.

The MTA is going to want to prioritize the Orange Line extensions too, possibly to the Burbank Airport.

Of course, there is no shortage of priority, only of political will and money.

[LAofAnaheim]

I don't know how effective this is, but if you heard, the City Council was to develop a transportation master plan and Wendy Greuel is asking for public input for a master plan. You can provide comments here --> www.lacity.org/council/cd2/strategicplan.htm

[Dan Wentzel]

sodha said:

I don't know how effective this is, but if you heard, the City Council was to develop a transportation master plan and Wendy Greuel is asking for public input for a master plan. You can provide comments here --> www.lacity.org/council/cd2/strategicplan.htm

Was there anyone else appalled and shocked there wasn't a master plan?

I guess it is sad that I'm not surprised for the evidence of no plan is everywhere.

That lack of planning goes to land use too -- hence the unsustainable sprawl we find ourselves with now.