The following excerpt appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on January 1, 2017. To read the full article, click here.

Gold and Expo line openings, Measure M among biggest LA transportation stories of 2016 – San Gabriel Valley Tribune

The Gold Line Foothill Extension opens on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the Metro Gold Line Station. Photo Correspondent by Shilah Montiel

By Steve Scauzillo

January 1, 2017

[Excerpt]:

“This year, the region coalesced around transportation infrastructure, one of the biggest challenges in California,” said Phil Washington, CEO of LA Metro.

“The success of Measure M was more a confirmation that this region will not just sit back and wait on Washington for federal dollars, and sure, those help, but we are willing to invest more,” he said.

Besides new train systems, bus lines and bike lanes from Measure M funds, more could also come from private investors. Several banks have lined up to loan Metro money to speed up construction of certain projects, according to some experts.

More funds could also come from Washington, if President-elect Donald Trump sells his infrastructure stimulus to Congress.

That message of “more” has Metro smiling. The transit authority believes the opening of projects completed in 2016 showed taxpayer what can be done with their money. The 11.5-mile Gold Line Foothill Extension from Pasadena to Azusa opened March 5, and the 6.6-mile Expo Line extension on the west side to Santa Monica started carrying passengers May 20.

To read the full article, click here.