Metro Chair Don Knabe announced the great news that the Federal Transit Administration has given formal approval for preliminary engineering work to begin on the Westside Subway Extension and the Regional Connector, moving both projects a step closer to actual construction.
The Regional Connector underground light rail like will connect the metro Gold, Blue and future Expo lines, making it easier for passengers to reach their destinations without having to transfer to a bus or another train.
The notification by the FTA means that federal funding for both projects could be included in next year’s federal budget. The FTA has also given strong indications that they support Metro’s efforts to build more quickly than originally planned.
The people of this region have, time and again, shown their desire for public transport options – taxing themselves THREE times in the last three decades, desperate for relief from traffic and smog. The latest was two years ago with Measure R, which will allow Metro to accelerate its transportation plans through the 30/10 initiative, speeding up execution – and allowing projects to get built faster and at a lower cost.
Competition for federal rail project grants is extremely competitive. The FTA’s actions underscore their confidence in Metro’s ability to deliver public transit in LA County, on-time and on-budget.
For more information, go to http://thesource.metro.net/