“Milestone” for Light Rail

By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

January 3 -- Bringing the light rail one stop closer to Santa Monica, transit officials cleared a major hurdle last month when they certified a report that could have shovels hitting dirt by this summer on the first phase of the Exposition line from Downtown to Culver City.

Nearly five years in the making, the Phase I Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Board at its December 15 meeting. The document addresses everything from noise and safety to the possible effects of pollution on the surrounding communities along the 9.6-mile route.

“This is really a milestone,” said City Council member Pam O’Connor, who is the MTA board’s vice chair. “It’s an important document that opens the door for the exposition corridor to begin construction.”

The stamp of approval marks the end of nearly two decades of political wrangling with community groups who opposed to the project in Los Angeles, O’Connor said.

Last month’s vote also signals a change of attitude among decision makers that could lead to the construction of phase II – from Culver City to Santa Monica – sooner than anticipated. Transit officials expect Phase I could be completed by 2010.

“The (report) is not only about providing good transportation, but it’s about being a good neighbor,” O’Connor said. “There seems to be the political will now along the route.”

Neighborhood groups in support of the light rail have been active in recent years, said O’Connor, while the election of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last year gave a boost to mass transit priorities.

“In the 1980s and early 1990s I think we were hearing a lot more of the negative voices, and now we’re beginning to hear from those in favor of the project,” she said.

The next step is getting the funding to go ahead with Phase II, which is expected to cost half a billion dollars, according to City officials.

While former LA mayor James Hahn was not opposed to the light rail, “Antonio may be able to get more funding for the project,” O’Connor said.

MTA officials said they will also keep a close watch on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, which last year proposed steep cuts in transportation funding, much of which was later restored.

This year, with talk of investing in infrastructure and a reelection on the horizon, the Governor may also prove to be a mass transit ally.

“We’ll be watching the State of the State closely,” O’Connor said.

Aside from Los Angeles, other cities such as Santa Monica and Culver have been “instrumental” in moving the project along, O’Connor said.

Despite the change in political climate, other obstacles beside funding remain for the final stretch to Santa Monica.

The largest: Choosing a route to the beachside city.

O’Connor believes the best route is along the Public Right of Way -- Exposition Boulevard down to Olympic Boulevard -- because the MTA will purchase fewer properties. But other MTA and LA City officials are considering an alternative route along Venice Boulevard, where some claim there may be more foot traffic.

All of that will be settled when the Phase II environmental impact report is drafted in coming years.

Regardless, the light rail -- which is projected to carry an estimated 72,000 riders a day -- is not an option in an area inundated by traffic, O’Connor said. “We need this.”

There are no exact dates, but by late February or early March, officials hope to award the lucrative design and build contract to the winning bidder, which could lead to construction on Phase I by summer.