Don Knabe. Working for you.

Transportation Accomplishments

2010

Continuing Funding for the PVPTA Shuttle Service
The Board of Supervisors approved the disbursement of $408,200 to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority to continue public transit services for the Fiscal Year 2010-2011. The funds for the disbursement come from the Fourth Supervisorial District's allocation of Proposition A Local Return Transit Program funds.
 

Funding Fourth District Paratransit Shuttle Services
The Board of Supervisors approved $708,000 in funding for the continuation of paratransit shuttle service for eligible patrons in the unincorporated areas of the Fourth District for Fiscal Year 2010-2011. The program will include the following paratransit shuttle services: La Rambla, Marina del Rey, Rancho Los Amigos, Teen Mother, and the Whittier Islands.
 

Improving Hacienda Boulevard
Hacienda Boulevard in the unincorporated community of Hacienda Heights will soon undergo significant improvements, Supervisor Don Knabe announced. The project is part of Los Angeles County’s ongoing effort to provide improved infrastructure in its unincorporated areas. The $345,623 project will reconstruct and repave Hacienda Boulevard’s roadway between Richview Drive to Glenmark Drive. Additionally, the project includes constructing adjacent sidewalks, ramps, curbs, gutters, signage, landscaping, and an irrigation system. The funds for this project are included in the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Fund Budget.

Relieving Traffic Congestion in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance

The County of Los Angeles has completed the construction of a Traffic Signal Synchronization Project in the Fourth District cities of Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance Supervisor Don Knabe announced. The $2.1 million project was financed with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Grant Funds and Proposition C Local Return Funds, and focused on coordinating the timing of signals on Anita Street/190th Street/Victoria Avenue from Pacific Coast Highway to Wilmington Avenue; Normandie Avenue from El Segundo Boulevard to 170th Street; and on Torrance Boulevard from Pacific Coast Highway to Main Street.

Improving Roads in Hacienda Heights
Countrywood Avenue, Barford Avenue, Charlemont Avenue, Falstone Avenue, Pepper Brook Way, and various other roads in the unincorporated community of Hacienda Heights will undergo significant improvements, Supervisor Don Knabe announced. The project is part of Los Angeles County’s effort to provide improved infrastructure in its unincorporated areas. The $2.3 million project will reconstruct and resurface roadway pavement; and reconstruct adjacent sidewalks, driveways, curbs and gutters. The funds for this project are included in the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Fund Budget.

2009

Halting Transit Maintenance Yards in El Segundo and Westchester Proposals to build a massive light rail maintenance facility and service yard in El Segundo, as well as an alternative site for the facility in Westchester, have been permanently halted, thanks to an effort by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and other local community and government leaders. Supervisor Knabe, who also serves as Metro’s First Vice Chair, shared the communities concerns and brought forward a motion which was amended and approved, removing the El Segundo and Westchester sites from any current or future consideration.

Opposing Whittier Greenway Trail Transit Plan
Light rail trains will not be running down the middle of the Whittier Greenway Trail in the future, Supervisor Don Knabe announced. Metro will be abandoning any further consideration of the Greenway Trail option after significant community opposition and the opposition by Supervisor Knabe, who serves as First Vice Chair of Metro’s Board of Directors. In addition, technical analysis indicates that the route has several fatal flaws that renders it infeasible for construction.
 

Speaking Out Against State Transportation Cuts

Supervisor Knabe announced that Los Angeles County would lose nearly a quarter-billion dollars in local transportation and roadway maintenance funds under a proposal currently being considered by California State leaders. The Legislature’s Budget Conference committee proposes “taking” two years of the local portion of the gas tax collected for the Highway Users Tax Account (HUTA). Meanwhile, the California Department of Finance has proposed a one-year suspension of Proposition 42, which requires a portion of the sales taxes collected on gasoline be directed for local transportation needs where the gas was sold. Between the HUTA and Proposition 42 suspensions, cities and counties across California would lose $1.7 billion for transportation and roadway needs.
 

Continuing Transit Pass Subsidy Program
Eligible unincorporated County residents will continue to receive reduced monthly transit pass fees, after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved funding today for the Transit Pass Subsidy Program. The Transit Pass Subsidy Program provides subsidized monthly transit fares to eligible seniors, persons with disabilities, and students residing in all unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The program is administered by METRO at an estimated cost of $1,500,000. Funding for the Transit Pass Subsidy Program is available through the County’s Proposition A Local Return Transit Program.
 

Funding Fourth District Paratransit Shuttle Services

The Board of Supervisors approved $664,000 in funding for the continuation of paratransit shuttle service for eligible patrons in the unincorporated areas of the Fourth District for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. The program will include the following paratransit shuttle services: La Rambla, Marina del Rey, Rancho Los Amigos, Teen Mother, and the Whittier Islands.

Continuing Funding for the PVPTA Shuttle Service

The Board of Supervisors approved the disbursement of $408,200 to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority to continue public transit services for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010. The funds for the disbursement come from the Fourth Supervisorial District's allocation of Proposition A Local Return Transit Program funds.
 

Improving Fullerton Road in Rowland Heights

Fullerton Road in the unincorporated community of Rowland Heights will soon undergo improvements, Supervisor Don Knabe announced. The project is part of the County’s effort to provide improved infrastructure in its unincorporated areas. The $308,505 project will focus on the resurfacing of the roadway pavement; the reconstruction of curb and gutter, sidewalk, and driveways; and the construction of curb ramps.

Retrofitting Long Beach Bridges
Los Angeles County will soon begin a bridge seismic retrofit project in Long Beach, Supervisor Don Knabe announced . The $3.84 million project will improve the structural safety of the southbound Queensway Drive off-ramps over Harbor Scenic Drive near the Port of Long Beach.
 

Relieving Traffic Congestion in Downey, La Mirada, and Norwalk Supervisor Don Knabe announced a new traffic reduction effort in the Cities of Downey, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, and South Gate as part of an expansion of the County’s Traffic Synchronization Program. The $1.27 million project will modify traffic signals, install fiber optic equipment, and closed circuit television cameras on Firestone Boulevard from Stewart & Gray Road to Imperial Highway, Imperial Highway from Firestone Boulevard to Carmenita Road, and Imperial Highway from Paramount Boulevard to Bellflower Boulevard.

Resurfacing Lambert Road in Whittier
The County of Los Angeles will provide $200,000 in the form of Highways-Through-Cities funds to the City of Whittier for their resurfacing project on Lambert Road. The project, which is entirely in the City of Whittier, will resurface Lambert Road from Washington Boulevard to Leffingwell Road, and cost an estimated $1,800,000, of which $200,000 will be financed by the County. The funding for the County's contribution is available from the Fourth Supervisorial District's Road Construction Program in the Fiscal Year 2008-09 Road Fund Budget.
 

Evaluating the Transit Needs in Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, East Whittier and North Whittier

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a study to evaluate the transit needs of the unincorporated communities of Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, East Whittier and North Whittier, and recommend route or service changes to existing services or recommend new services.

Funding the Rowland Heights Railroad Safety Project

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors committed $12 million in funding towards the Nogales Street Railroad Grade Separation project in Rowland Heights. The project is designed to greatly improve vehicle, pedestrian, and rail safety by building a traffic overpass above the railroad tracks on the border between Rowland Heights and the City of Industry.

Dredging in Marina del Rey

The United States Army Corps of Engineers began dredging the south entrance channel to Marina del Rey. The $3 million dredging project will remove 50,000 cubic meters of contaminated sediment using a hydraulic dredge to remove a tip shoal area at the south entrance of the Marina harbor. The project will return the south entrance to its design depth of 20 feet and will place the clean sand removed from the area offshore from Dockweiler Beach to aid in beach replenishment.

2008

Seeking Explanation on Future of Palmdale Airport

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and Board Chairman Don Knabe, directing the County’s Chief Executive Officer to prepare a formal request to Los Angeles World Airports, the Board of Airport Commissioners, and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, to explain its plans for the undeveloped property adjacent to the Palmdale Airport. Since acquiring the airport in the 1960s, the City’s Los Angeles World Airports Department has failed to develop this property.

Opposing City of Los Angeles Sewer Project in Marina del Rey

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voiced unanimous opposition to a City of Los Angeles sewer expansion project that would have significant negative impacts to the residents and businesses in Marina del Rey. The letter of opposition, authored by Supervisor Don Knabe, is over the Venice Dual Force Main Sewer Line Project, a planned expansion of the City of Los Angeles sewage system capacity by building a redundant sewer line in the Venice area that would transport sewage south to the Hyperion Treatment Plant. Although there are three possible routes for the sewer line, the City’s preferred route is by digging up streets in unincorporated Marina del Rey, going south down Marquesas Way and Via Marina.

Retrofitting 6th Street Bridge over Shoreline Drive

The 6th Street off-ramp over Shoreline Drive will be seismically retrofit, after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $2.7 million construction contract to strengthen the bridge in the City of Long Beach. The project is part of the Federal Highway Bridge Program, which provides Federal funds to local agencies to finance bridge seismic retrofit projects. The remaining cost of the project will be financed with State Proposition 1 B funds and Fourth Supervisorial District's Road Construction Program funds.

Improving Gale Avenue in Hacienda Heights

The County has completed the construction of a roadway improvement project on Gale Avenue in the unincorporated community of Hacienda Heights. The $2,467,046 project focused on the resurfacing, reconstructing and slurry sealing of the roadway; the construction of a curb and gutter, sidewalk, curb ramps, cross gutters, alley intersections, storm drain, catch basins, and connector pipes; and the installation of new striping and pavement markings.

Improving Harbor Boulevard in La Habra Heights

The County has completed the construction of a roadway improvement project on Harbor Boulevard in the City of La Habra Heights. The $904,880 project focused on resurfacing and reconstructing the roadway, the reconstruction of the curbs, gutters, sidewalks and curb ramps, the modification of traffic signals, and the installation of new striping and pavement markings.

Funding Fourth District Paratransit Shuttle Services
The Board of Supervisors approved $608,000 in funding for the continuation of paratransit shuttle service for eligible patrons in the unincorporated areas of the Fourth District for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. The program will include the following paratransit shuttle services: La Rambla, Marina del Rey, Rancho Los Amigos, Teen Mother, and the Whittier Islands.
 

Improving Traffic Flow Between the City And County of Los Angeles
A recently completed traffic signal interface between the City and County of Los Angeles will dramatically improve traffic flow throughout the region. The new interface links the City’s Advanced Traffic Control System with the County's Information Exchange Network, and will enable a two-way exchange of traffic signal data, including congestion and incident information.
 

Synchronizing Traffic in Long Beach and Paramount
The County has completed the construction of a Traffic Signal Synchronization Project in the Fourth District cities of Long Beach and Paramount. The $1,022,691 project was financed with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Grant Funds and Proposition C Local Return Funds, and focused on coordinating the timing of signals along Eastern Avenue/Garfield Avenue/Cherry Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Atlantic Boulevard.
 

Widening Bridge in South Whittier
The County of Los Angeles completed construction on the widening of a bridge on Stamy Road over Leffingwell Creek in the unincorporated community of South Whittier. In addition to widening the bridge on Stamy Road, the $892,554 project also included: the construction of a concrete barrier with picket railing, the construction of an asphalt paved sidewalk, and the installation of traffic signals.

2007

Synchronizing Traffic in the South Bay
A new Traffic Signal Synchronization Project has been completed in the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes and Long Beach. The $933,524 project focused on coordinating the timing of signals along three major streets in the South Bay. Over 100 total intersections were synchronized on the following three roads: Artesia Boulevard from Sepulveda Boulevard to Vermont Avenue, Carson Street from Hawthorne Boulevard to Santa Fe Avenue, and Western Avenue from 111th Street to Summerland Avenue.
 

South Whittier's Sunshine Shuttle Reaches Milestone

The Sunshine Shuttle service, which covers unincorporated South Whittier, has reached a milestone mark of 100,000 riders during the month of October. The use of the Sunshine Shuttle by 100,000 riders shows that this is a much-needed and appreciated transportation service in our community.

Increasing Funding for Transportation Services on Avalon

Supervisor Knabe worked with Metro, through its Transit Funding Allocations for Transportation Development Funds (TDA) and State Transportation Assistance (STA) program, to allocate a total of $250,000 to the City of Avalon through Sub-Regional Projects for Avalon Transit Services, Jitney & Dial-a-Ride Programs.

Repairing Intersections Impacted by Heavy Truck Traffic
The Board of Supervisors approved a transportation infrastructure improvement project that is designed to minimize the impact truck traffic has at several congested intersections. The goals of the project are to improve the existing substandard intersections by reinforcing the roadbed with stronger materials that can withstand heavy trucks, and reducing toxic diesel emissions by minimizing the time trucks spend stopped with engines idling at these intersections.
 

Upgrading Traffic Signals in Long Beach
Damaged traffic signals and equipment in Long Beach is being replaced with new equipment. The $1.7 million project is located at the intersection of Del Amo Boulevard and Susana Road, and involves the installation and modification of the traffic signals at the intersection.

Upgrading Traffic Signals in Whittier
Damaged traffic signals and equipment in Whittier is being replaced with new equipment. The $192,260 project is located at the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Pioneer Boulevard, and involves the installation of conduits, conductors, pull boxes, retrofit kits and lamps to convert the existing out-dated, poorly functioning street light system to a more modern and reliable system.

Improving Safety at Bus Shelters

Bus riders in Hacienda Heights are benefiting from new, safety-enhanced bus shelters installed by the County. The new shelters include solar-powered lighting and are located at Foothill Transit routes. The old shelters had no illumination.

Improving Traffic Safety in Rowland Heights
Traffic regulation orders were approved that are designed to improve traffic safety in areas of Rowland Heights. The approval establishes one-way stop controls for northbound traffic on Abeto Avenue at Fidalgo Street and eastbound traffic on Fidalgo Street and Gallio Avenue.

Synchronizing Traffic in Local Cities
A new Traffic Signal Synchronization Project has been approved for the cities of Bellflower, Cerritos, La Mirada, Long Beach, Norwalk and Whittier. The project will synchronize 35 traffic signals on Artesia Boulevard between Alameda Street and Valley View Avenue; 15 traffic signals on Central Avenue between El Segundo Boulevard and Victoria Street; and 36 traffic signals located on Whittier Boulevard between Paramount Boulevard and Valley Home Avenue. This project is part of the County’s ongoing program to enhance traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians.

Expanding Summer Beach Shuttle Service
The Beach Shuttle, which is free of charge and open to the public, is funded by a combination of funds from Supervisor Knabe and Playa Vista. The Beach Shuttle which serves Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and the Venice Beach Pier is now offering expanded service to Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey.

Providing South Whittier Residents Access to the Beach

Supervisors Knabe and Molina provided funds for the South Whittier Summer Beach Bus service, which allows the residents of South Whittier and other unincorporated areas in the vicinity to have the opportunity to climb aboard the Summer Beach Bus and go to Long Beach.

Funding New Street Lights in Downtown Long Beach

The County of Los Angeles has funded a major portion of a project designed to improve pedestrian safety through enhanced street lighting in parts of downtown Long Beach. The street lighting replacement project will occur on both Broadway and 3rd Street between Pacific Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, with the existing City-owned high pressure sodium lights being replaced with brighter metal halide lights.

Expressing Disappointment in Conclusion of LAX Runway Studies

Supervisor Knabe announced his disappointment in the conclusions reached by studies commissioned by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) that called for moving the northernmost runway at LAX at least 340 feet north into the communities of Westchester and Playa del Rey. Each report came to the same conclusion with little, if any, discussion of available alternatives.

Continuing Funding for the PVPTA Shuttle Service

The Board of Supervisors approved the disbursement of $408,200 to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority to continue public transit services for the Fiscal Year 2007-2008. The funds for the disbursement come from the Fourth Supervisorial District's allocation of Proposition A Local Return Transit Program funds.

Funding Fourth District Paratransit Shuttle Services

The Board of Supervisors approved $660,000 in funding for the continuation of paratransit shuttle service for eligible patrons in the unincorporated areas of the Fourth District for Fiscal Year 2007-2008. The program will include the following paratransit shuttle services: La Rambla, Marina del Rey, Rancho Los Amigos, Teen Mother, and the Whittier Islands.

2006

Easing Traffic Congestion in Diamond Bar
Los Angeles County completed a $700,000 traffic synchronization upgrade throughout the City of Diamond Bar that is designed to reduce traffic congestion at major intersections. The new equipment was installed at key intersections near the 60 and 57 Freeways.

Increasing Motorist Safety with Radar Trailers
The County of Los Angeles purchased 10 new radar speed trailers for use by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) exclusively in the County’s unincorporated areas, including the Rowland Heights community.
 

Marina del Rey Dredging Project

In 2006, Supervisor Knabe successfully lobbied for federal and local funding to dredge the north navigation channel leading into Marina del Rey. This multimillion dollar project is scheduled for completion in spring 2007 and will return the Marina entrance to its design depth of 20 feet. This project will ensure that the 5,000 privately-owned vessels and numerous emergency rescue vessels based there will continue to have full access to the Marina for years to come. The clean sand removed during dredging will be placed on several South Bay beaches for sand replenishment.

Summer Beach Bus Service

Supervisor Knabe funded a direct bus line for the residents of unincorporated Whittier that would connect them to the beaches of Los Angeles County. Hundreds of residents used the service during its inaugural year. The Beach Bus is expected to return in summer 2007.

710 Freeway Improvement Project

As the first elected Chairman of the I-710 Improvement Project Executive Committee, Supervisor Knabe is working with a team of other elected officials on developing goals and securing funding for future improvements and expansion of the 710 Long Beach Freeway.

South Whittier Community Shuttle Service

Funding provided by Supervisor Knabe helped launch the South Whittier Shuttle Service on a seven-mile route exclusively in the South Whittier unincorporated area. The fixed-route system includes stops at Whittwood Mall, California High School, the Department of Motor Vehicles, Santa Fe Springs Mall, Whittier Resource Center and Whittier Presbyterian Hospital.

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority

As a member of Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) Governing Board, Supervisor Knabe has taken a leadership role in developing a more effective and innovative program for moving freight from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles beyond the Southern California region in ways to minimize traffic impacts on regional freeways.

Metro Express Bus Service

Supervisor Knabe and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) teamed up to develop a new Metro Express Bus line to provide a minimal stop service from the Long Beach Veterans Hospital to the Norwalk Metro Green Line Station to the El Monte Bus Station.

Limiting Expansion of LAX

Significant expansion plans for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were successfully blocked by the County of Los Angeles and other agencies. The successful settlement of this lawsuit will ensure limits on expansion of flights, passengers and vehicle traffic into the airport.

Regionalization of Air Traffic

Supervisor Knabe led the successful effort to reactivate the Southern California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA) with the goal of addressing future air traffic growth on a regional, multi-county and multi-city approach. The participation of Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County and other counties in SCRAA will ensure air traffic is balanced across many regional airports and not just at a few congested sites.

2005

Dedicated new Metro Express Bus line to provide minimal stop service from the Long Beach Veterans Hospital to Norwalk Metro Green Line Station to El Monte Bus Station.

Launch of the Los Angeles County Bus Pass subsidy program to provide low cost transit passes for students, low-income and fixed-income residents of the Fourth District.

2004

As a member of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Supervisor Knabe helped develop a regional plan to address the issue of Goods Movement from a multiple-county approach.

Supervisor Knabe led the effort to increase capacity on the Blue Line light rail, which runs through the Fourth District into downtown Long Beach. Previously, the Blue Line platforms could accommodate two-car trains. By expanding the platforms to accommodate four-car trains, the passenger capacity was greatly increased.