SCRAA NEWS
Yesterday was a historic day. It was the first meeting of the reconstituted Southern California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA). Congresswoman Jane Harman, a longtime champion of the regional approach to aviation, kicked off the meeting by reaffirming her commitment to regional aviation and to making sure the spirit of the settlement agreement is adhered to. I was also pleased to hear her call to green light the Green Line.
SCRAA has had a rocky history and fell apart because its members became entrenched in defending their parochial interests instead of working to solve problems. I think that a lot of that was fueled by a perception that the 800 pound gorilla, Los Angeles, had a "my way or the highway" mentality.
So what's different this time? Bill and Antonio. Both Councilmember Rosendahl and Mayor Villaraigosa have repeatedly shown a commitment to working with other parties to build consensus around ideas that make sense and are fair. Additionally, both have demonstrated a commitment to a regional approach to aviation. The most visible example of this has been the settlement that ended the litigation surrounding the LAX Master Plan.
As Supervisor Buster of Riverside pointed out, there is still quite a bit of suspicion of Los Angeles' motives in reviving SCRAA. Given the history, that is understandable. So, the big challenge for the group initially will be to build trust amongst the participants. It won't happen overnight, but I'm optimistic about it because of Bill and Antonio.
-Phil
Legislative Deputy
SCRAA has had a rocky history and fell apart because its members became entrenched in defending their parochial interests instead of working to solve problems. I think that a lot of that was fueled by a perception that the 800 pound gorilla, Los Angeles, had a "my way or the highway" mentality.
So what's different this time? Bill and Antonio. Both Councilmember Rosendahl and Mayor Villaraigosa have repeatedly shown a commitment to working with other parties to build consensus around ideas that make sense and are fair. Additionally, both have demonstrated a commitment to a regional approach to aviation. The most visible example of this has been the settlement that ended the litigation surrounding the LAX Master Plan.
As Supervisor Buster of Riverside pointed out, there is still quite a bit of suspicion of Los Angeles' motives in reviving SCRAA. Given the history, that is understandable. So, the big challenge for the group initially will be to build trust amongst the participants. It won't happen overnight, but I'm optimistic about it because of Bill and Antonio.
-Phil
Legislative Deputy
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
RAIL NEWS ON THE WESTSIDE
Last week, I joined local elected officials for the official groundbreaking of the Exposition Light Rail Line, connecting downtown Los Angeles with Culver City, via the Exposition Boulevard corridor. This 9.6 mile line is fully funded and is under construction by the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority. This is the first baby step in getting real mass transit extended to the Westside.
The next step is extending the Expo Line from Culver City to Santa Monica. This second phase will really help to alleviate the gridlock plaguing the Westside. The Construction Authority is getting ready to hire the environmental consultant to prepare an EIR for this second phase.
I support the dream of West LA residents to someday connect the Green Line (from LAX) with the Expo Line in Santa Monica. Locally, this is known as the Coastal or Lincoln Light Rail Line. As the Expo Line EIR moves forward, I want to make sure that the Construction Authority is planning for a future connection to the Green Line. This connection would provide direct rail access to LAX from Santa Monica and West Los Angeles. Although the Green Line is not expected to be constructed until after the Expo Line is constructed, planning for the intersection of the two rail lines must occur now, prior to the construction of the Expo Line, Phase 2.
In August, I introduced a motion that provides $250,000 in funding to plan for this future intersection of the Expo and Green light rail lines. Yesterday, the motion was approved by a unanimous City Council vote.
-Bill
The next step is extending the Expo Line from Culver City to Santa Monica. This second phase will really help to alleviate the gridlock plaguing the Westside. The Construction Authority is getting ready to hire the environmental consultant to prepare an EIR for this second phase.
I support the dream of West LA residents to someday connect the Green Line (from LAX) with the Expo Line in Santa Monica. Locally, this is known as the Coastal or Lincoln Light Rail Line. As the Expo Line EIR moves forward, I want to make sure that the Construction Authority is planning for a future connection to the Green Line. This connection would provide direct rail access to LAX from Santa Monica and West Los Angeles. Although the Green Line is not expected to be constructed until after the Expo Line is constructed, planning for the intersection of the two rail lines must occur now, prior to the construction of the Expo Line, Phase 2.
In August, I introduced a motion that provides $250,000 in funding to plan for this future intersection of the Expo and Green light rail lines. Yesterday, the motion was approved by a unanimous City Council vote.
-Bill
