(to read the full letter, click on the image below)
If Metro was looking for delegates to help them get that federal New Starts funding for the Subway to the Sea and Regional Connector (their priority projects), they should probably look a lot harder – because the majority of the current crop of our county’s Congressional representatives aren’t too happy with some of the Board’s recent decisions.
Yesterday, ten members of Congress from Los Angeles County (out of 18 total) and four members from nearby counties signed a letter that criticized the Metro Board of Directors for pursuing a federal funding strategy that only included the Subway to the Sea and Regional Connector. Using their insight on federal matters, they highlighted that “it is highly unlikely that federal funding for the Westside Subway Extension and the Regional Connector Transit Corridor could be allocated through the federal New Starts process in as little as 3 years, leaving the County without a source of federal funds in the interim.”
If all of this is sounding somewhat familiar, it is because this issue was brought up by Congresswoman Judy Chu’s office at last month’s Metro Board meeting – and repeatedly by us since then. And in case the Metro Board were not convinced enough that these fourteen members of Congress knew what they were talking about, they also presented a list of recent transit projects around the country that had received federal funding – most of which waited well beyond the 3 years that Metro staff had projected for the Subway and Regional Connector.
Let us remind you that this letter never went into the merits of the Subway and Regional Connector, because they are much needed projects – when included as part of a true regional plan. But Metro’s federal strategy currently stands, as stated in the letter, to further exacerbate the “regional inequity” (in comparison to other cities across the country) that Los Angeles County is all too familiar with when seeking assistance from Washington.
So Congress Members Come Up with Plan That Would Actually Work
Seeing the need to save Los Angeles County from a potential tremendous loss of federal money if Metro were to go ahead with their current plan, the Congressional group came up with a strategy that would not leave our region behind (again) when it came to securing federal dollars – all the while highlighting a particular project that could lead that charge:
“It seems extremely short-sighted not to include the Gold Line Foothill Extension, Gold Line Eastside Extension and Crenshaw/South Bay Transit Corridor in Metro’s New Starts funding priority list. The Gold Line Foothill Extension project, Azusa to Montclair, is developed enough to be ready for Federal New Starts funds in the years before the Westside Subway Extension and the Regional Connector Transit Corridor.”
Sounds about right.
Meanwhile, Local Leaders Plan Fight for First Phase of Extension Until the Very End
The Metro Board’s determination to finally pass the 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan usually means the current draft of the plan is probably what we will see become the finalized plan – but don’t tell that to County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Duarte Councilman John Fasana.
With the current draft of the plan still looking at a 2017 operating date for the first extension to Azusa, Antonovich and Fasana – both Metro Board members – plan on introducing a motion at Thursday’s meeting in an attempt to get Metro to commit to operating the line in 2013.
We’ll See on Thursday
How the Metro Board of Directors act in response to the majority of their Congressional representatives’ criticism remains to be seen. And we really mean it remains to be seen. The same can be said for Antonovich and Fasana’s noble attempt to introduce just one small change that would make the San Gabriel Valley breathe a little easier. Here’s hoping.
The Metro Board meeting takes place tomorrow, Thursday, October 22, at 9:30 AM at the Metro building. We’ll be there to cover the big meeting on Twitter @iwillride.
Those words up there weren’t just thrown together in an attempt to create some mental association of jobs, family, and happy riders with the Gold Line Foothill Extension (even though most rational people would come up with those associations themselves). Actually, those words represent the hope of a Pomona resident in a letter to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune:
Letters to the editor: A happy rider
I am awaiting the completion of the Gold Line Foothill Extension to Montclair as it will help me find a job out of my geographic range.
As of July 2, I became unemployed and I if the Gold Line was up and running, it would extend my job search and I will ride it!
Also, my tweens can ride it to their grandparents’ home. The sooner it is completed, the sooner I will get a job and the kids can visit grandparents.
Let’s get it completed, and make everyone a happy rider! Do not delay any longer. Happy times await everyone!
Doug Tessitor, City Councilman for the City of Glendora, talks about his city’s excitement and anxious wait over the arrival of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension, the transit-oriented development plans awaiting the extension, why Glendora’s residents need the Foothill Extension, and a message for the Metro Board.
“I ride the existing Gold Line everyday to work and any time I need to go to downtown L.A. The dream is to be able to use the train the whole way to and from work (and play). We can be so much better with the line extended!”
“I look forward to using the Gold Line to commute to the Westside. Everyone I talk to says they will use it.”
“Please stop ignoring a ‘shovel ready’ project!
We have to drive to the end of the line, but enjoy using the Gold Line to go into L.A. Parking is a problem as so many IE (Inland Empire) people drive and ride. It will be great when it’s out in our own community. We would use it to go to Pasadena!”
A letter from former Claremont Mayor Ellen Taylor was published in last week’s Claremont Courier and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. We thought you’d be interested in reading it, so we posted it in its entirety:
As a former mayor of Claremont and a former member of the Gold Line Joint Powers Authority, I have been following the Metro Board’s delaying tactics for too long. The Foothill Extension (the Gold Line) should be included in the region’s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) now, rather than subjecting this part of the county to further delays. The Foothill Extension will provide a connection of residents, workers and visitors between the San Gabriel Valley, the Inland Empire and Los Angeles.
The Foothill Extension will be a direct connection to the Ontario Airport, making it the first airport in Southern California where people can take the train directly to the plane. If Metro includes the Foothill Extension in the funded plan, these connections may begin to happen in just four years. In addition, building the Gold Line now to Montclair will be a boon to the economy, providing jobs for hundreds of workers.
Claremont has invested $67 million in retail and housing to create a transit village. Gold Line was part of the reason for the development and will add to full realization of the transit village. We are dedicated to smart growth and sustainable practices. Giving our residents public transit options for travel is a big part of this. Gold Line will bring more people to Claremont without cars and we are dedicated to and taking the steps necessary to make it a pedestrian and transit visitor friendly destination.
Roger Chandler, City Councilman for the City of Arcadia, talks about what his city has planned around its Foothill Extension station, why his city needs the extension, the benefits it will bring and a message for Metro.
Uriel Macias, City Councilman for the City of Azusa, talks about why Azusa needs the Gold Line Foothill Extension, how the extension complements that city’s status as a college town, and why Metro should fund the Gold Line.
“I work in Claremont, CA, and this line will enable me to ride the train to work, and also go a long way toward a greener environment. Remove the traffic log jam from the I-210.”
Lois Gaston, City Councilwoman for the City of Duarte, talks about the traffic congestion problems her city faces because of nearby freeways, the role of the Foothill Extension in solving those problems, the rationale behind equally splitting Measure R dollars, and how the Foothill Extension will help the entire Los Angeles County region.
Mary Ann Lutz, Mayor for the City of Monrovia, talks about her city’s 20 year wait for the Foothill Extension, the excitement surrounding the arrival of the Foothill Extension, and the sustainable development the city has planned around their station. She also leaves a message for the Metro Board of Directors.
“This is essential. If we could reduce vehicle traffic on 210, 10, 60 & 90 fwys by 5%-10% those roadways would be functional again. I would ride the Gold line from my home in Claremont.”
“I intend to use the train from the Del Mar station to the Pomona station once it is built. The purpose of the trip is for commuting to school.”
We’d like to congratulate Judy Chu for becoming the Congresswoman for California’s 32nd Congressional District. She won the July 14 special election to fill the seat vacated by U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. Dr. Chu always has been a staunch supporter of the Gold Line Foothill Extension – not just for the benefit of the San Gabriel Valley but for the entire Los Angeles County region. She joins Congress members Adam Schiff of the 29th District, David Dreier of the 26th District, and Grace Napolitano of the 38th District as our voices for the San Gabriel Valley in Congress. This quartet has been vocal and active in supporting the extension, and they will continue to fight for the entire line until it reaches Ontario Airport.
“I will fight hard for the San Gabriel Valley’s fair share of infrastructure dollars, bringing federal dollars to projects like the Gold Line Foothill Extension from Pasadena to Montclair and the 10/605 freeway interchange upgrade.
Fully funding these crucial, ready-to-go projects will not only immediately generate hundreds of badly needed jobs and provide a jolt to the local economy, but they will also address the long-standing transportation issues of the Valley, saving residents and businesses the untold millions of dollars in productivity lost on our region’s gridlocked freeways.”
“We desperately need Gold Line [Foothill Extension] now. It should be a priority for the MTA. It is ‘shovel ready.’ Build it now!!! Not in 2017.”
“The pollution is getting worse and more people are moving to these areas. We need to alleviate the traffic congestion + we cannot pave our way out of it. Public transportation expansion is the way of the future.”
“I’m all for public transportation, not just in my area, but all through the greater L.A. area. Private autos are set to become a thing of the past as resources become scarce. This line, and others like it, cannot be built quickly enough!”
“We need more public transportation! Thank you! Gracias!”
This week’s Voice of the San Gabriel Valley will be an extended one. How else do you fit an entire fast-growing region’s worth of comments into a blog post?
The San Gabriel Valley Joint Powers Authority had met right before the last Metro Board meeting on June 25, and we were able to get some comments on the Gold Line Foothill Extension from a few representatives from around the San Gabriel Valley. In addition to posting comments from the residents, we’re also posting what these representatives had to say about the Foothill Extension – along with their messages for Metro.
Francis Delach, City Manager for the City of Azusa, on the economic benefits of the Metro Gold Line Foohtill Extension – and why a large employer particularly favors Azusa.
Scott Ochoa, City Manager for the City of Monrovia, explains how the Foothill Extension addresses congestion and environmental issues, sustainable development, proper use of old land, and the hope for a world-class region.
Sam Pedroza, City Councilman for the City of Claremont, speaks about transit-oriented development opportunities that the Foothill Extension presents. He also comments on the progress Metro has made.
“Respectfully I hereby request Metro to expedite this long awaited project “Gold Line”.” My young family needs it now and even more so in the future.”
“It is appalling that one of the world’s greatest metropolitan areas can’t have a public transportation worth speaking about. Is anyone concerned about the future?!”
“We need the Gold Line project to be completed. Do you know how much air quality will improve because people will ride the Gold Line instead of using the 210 FREEWAY!!”
This week’s Voice of the San Gabriel Valley series is dedicated to the National Dump the Pump day. With gas prices rising again for the summer (and that economic issue going on), everyone’s trying to find a way to go about their daily lives without making any further dents in their wallets. We already told you how much you could save by using public transportation, but that $8,416 in annual savings for Los Angeles residents was based on when gas prices were somewhat (a little? kind of? relatively?) low. The most recent figure by the American Public Transportation Association puts the annual savings for Los Angeles residents at… *drum roll*… $9,915.
So what say you San Gabriel Valley? Ready to dump the pump? We’re getting there.
“I commute daily from Azusa- Pasadena. It’s a ‘nightmare’ getting worse daily with traffic congestion. Please get the Gold Line built sooner than later!”
“Great job!! Looking forward to visit my son + family that lives in Claremont by using (the Gold Line).”
“This is nuts. Get the trains expanded. Stop playing politics. We need the alternative sources of transportation.”
“There’s an old saying: ‘Pennywise and poundfoolish’ There’s no more time and money to waste.”
With the Long Range Transportation Plan workshop behind us and a possible vote to look forward to in July, we continue to carry on the voices and momentum for the San Gabriel Valley. Foothill Extension supporters have influenced decision makers at Metro and we are getting closer to achieving our goal of opening to Azusa by 2013. It is only fitting that we continue providing a forum so their voices can be heard.
“Completion of the Gold Line Foothill Extension to La Verne is key to our long range planning + economic development efforts.”
“This type of transportation is long overdue for our community.”
“The traffic on the 210 freeway is unbearable! I used the Gold Line yesterday to see “Grease” at the Pantages. I would use it more if it was extended east.”
“Extending the Gold Line is a win-win situation. It will create much needed jobs, reduce traffic, and open up Downtown L.A. for more employment.”
If Metro was looking for delegates to help them get that federal New Starts funding for the Subway to the Sea and Regional Connector (their priority projects), they should probably look a lot harder – because the majority of the current crop of our county’s Congressional representatives aren’t too happy with some of the Board’s recent decisions.
