Quote:
Originally Posted by craigs
Here's Urbanize's take on the good news:
L.A. area passenger rail projects nab more than $1B in state funding
Light rail in the Valley, a people mover in Inglewood, and more
Steven Sharp
Urbanize Los Angeles
February 1, 2023
A report issued yesterday by the California State Transportation Agency announces more than $1 billion in new funding for planned and under-construction passenger rail projects in Southern California - including a new people mover system in the City of Inglewood and upgrades to Metrolink's regional rail system.
“The projects funded represent critical transportation and will provide alternatives to driving with access to a modernized, public transit system,” said Governor Gavin Newsom in a news release. “California is unwavering in our commitment to our world-leading climate agenda, including record levels of investments in public transportation projects to electrify fleets, expand and improve service, and spark ridership growth.”
The new round of funding, which supplements projects that have already received money from California's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, will go toward L.A. area projects including:
Inglewood Transit Connector ($407 million)
Rendering of a people mover station in Downtown Inglewood
The City of Inglewood will receive $407 million for a more than $1.5-billion people mover system which is intended to connect the recently-opened K Line with destinations such as SoFi Stadium and the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers. That funding, combined with existing local funding streams, is expected to allow Inglewood to compete for a Federal New Starts grant, with the aim of opening the people mover system prior to the Olympics in 2028. That would require a full funding agreement by the end of 2023.
East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor ($600 million)
Route of East San Fernando Valley light rail line
Metro will receive $600 million for the construction of a long-planned light rail line down Van Nuys Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley, supplementing local tax return that is already allocated to the project, as well as more than $900 million in Federal funds. Utility work began late last year for the East San Fernando Valley Line, which is expected to cost upwards of $2 billion and feature 11 stops on a 6.7-mile route between the G Line busway and Pacoima. |
I can’t help but find some of these plans depressing.
Hollywood Park and Inglewood seems like the perfect place for significant infrastructure investment. This “Inglewood People Mover” is the worst of all the available options.
The two best options? Are both TRUE mass transit.
When the Sepulveda Line is finished - it shouldn’t end at LAX. It should go end at an underground superstation. Roughly half way between Intuit Dome and SoFi Stadium. The Hollywood park development combined with the casino, the forum,
the stadium, the music venue and the arena. Would get a lot of use.
OR you could also include 2 miles of LRT. Brand it as a stand alone line or as a branch of a line. The route being…
(1) Fairview Heights (already built)
(2) Manchester/Prairie
(3) Hollywood Park (to be built at one of two options)
a. 99th & Prairie
b. Stadium Drive near District Drive
(4) Crenshaw (already built)
HRT or LRT aside, a third option would be connecting the Airport People mover to the Inglewood people mover. Making it as one mode.
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And we all know the boondoggle the ESFV line is. I’m almost in denial. I keep expecting a last minute change. This thing should be at a MINIMUM grade separated. Stations should be spaced out as opposed to one each block almost. It really should be part of the Sepulveda project but we know that won’t happen. AT least it should be built with the idea of connecting it to the Orange line (after LRT conversion)
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Just a waste of money all around - So much potential not realized with these projects