Metro Applauds California Transportation Commission Action to Fund $27M in Active Transportation Projects for Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has applauded the California Transportation Commission’s recent approval of $27 million for a variety of Active Transportation Projects in Los Angeles County.

The funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects is made possible by Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB 1), which was signed into law by Governor Brown earlier this year.

“Metro is committed to moving Angelenos across the region as safely, efficiently, and sustainably as possible — this new funding will help create healthy, active transportation options for all to enjoy,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti.

The CTC awarded $10 million of Active Transportation Program (ATP) funds to bicycle and pedestrian projects that include:

• Walnut Creek-San Gabriel River East Bank Greenway & Neighborhood Connections in Baldwin Park.

• The Glendale Transportation Center First/Last Mile Regional Improvements Phase II Project.

• The Puente Creek Bikeway Project in L.A. County.

• The Alondra Active Transportation Improvement Project in Norwalk.

• The Civic Center Complete Streets Project in Palmdale.

• The Safe Route 2 School Sidewalk Gap Closure Project on Delta Avenue in Rosemead.

• The Active Aging-Safe Routes for Seniors Project in Santa Monica.

“These are great first steps in providing the needed funding to improve better connections to Metro’s transit system and will make it easier for people traveling throughout our region,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington.

The CTC also authorized the advancement of $17 million to enable earlier delivery of projects that were slated to receive ATP funds in later years. Those projects include:

• The Compton-Carson Regional Safe Bicycling and Wayfinding Project.

• The 2020 Safe Route to School Pedestrian Improvements Project in Lancaster.

• The Jefferson Boulevard Complete Street Project in the city of L.A.

• The West Santa Ana Branch Bikeway Phase 2 Project in Paramount.

• The Southern California Disadvantaged Communities Planning Initiative by the Southern California Association of Governments.

In December, the CTC will award additional ATP funds made available by SB 1 to projects recommended by the Southern California Association of Governments. The anticipated award is $24.6 million for Los Angeles County. Future ATP funding cycles will include an additional $100 million annually as a result of SB 1.

In addition to these active transportation projects, local jurisdictions throughout Los Angeles County are slated to receive more than $189 million through the Local Streets and Roads Program each year as a result of SB 1.

SB 1 will generate an estimated $54 billion over the next decade from a combination of gas and diesel tax increases, a vehicle license fee increase and a new registration fee on zero emission vehicles. SB 1 raises the gas tax for the first time in 23 years, and provides critically needed funding for state and local road rehabilitation and other related transportation needs. SB 1 funds will continue to be awarded through several formulaic and competitive programs over the next several months.