Metro Asked To Explore Funding Options For LAX Light Rail
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A proposed light rail extension spanning from LAX to downtown Los Angeles may have new life after transit officials were ordered to explore funding possibilities.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is calling for Metro to come up with a detailed strategy and plan to complete a transit connection to LAX by 2020.
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The Metro Green Line was approved by the federal government last September for construction on Crenshaw Boulevard along a proposed route that would run from LAX to the Expo Line.
But at a meeting with transit officials last week, Knabe called the slow pace of the project "embarrassing" and introduced a motion - which was approved 7-5 - asking for the Metro CEO to explore potential funding partnerships with local, state and federal entities along with private companies.
Metro is scheduled to report back at the Jan. 24, 2013, board meeting.
"If we want to compete for the Olympics again, we don't want to be busing people in and out of the airport, we wanna be able to use rail for that," Knabe said. "It's absolutely feasible, obviously the dollars have to be put together, but our federal partners have indicated that it's a priority for them too."
Knabe also requested a timeline and required actions, including recommendations on how to improve coordination with federal agencies like the FAA and FTA.
The Green Line extension to LAX is currently projected for completion in 2028.
