As today's Streetsblog USA post related, transit supporters across the U.S. are hosting events today to "Stand Up 4 Transportation." Metro hosted its rally this morning at Patasaouras Plaza at L.A. Union Station. The event featured Los Angeles Congressional representatives Judy Chu and Maxine Waters, and a host of L.A.'s labor, business, and transportation leaders, all calling on congress to renew investment in transportation infrastructure.
Transit riders have a lot to lose if partisan battles in Washington do not find their way to reauthorizing a federal transportation bill. With the gas tax providing a shrinking portion of overall transportation funding, there are lots of stopgap ideas floating around to address the immediate shortfall. If Congress presses forward with "devolution" - basically eliminating the federal gas tax and having states go their own way - Metro transit construction and operations would face an uncertain future.
There are seven L.A. County Reconnecting Communities grants totaling $162 million - about 90% of that goes to Metro's Removing Barriers project, which includes new bus lanes, first/last mile walk/bike facilities, bike-share, and more.
New bus lanes are coming to Broadway, Colorado Blvd., Crenshaw Blvd, Lincoln Blvd., Los Feliz Blvd., Santa Monica Blvd., Valley Blvd., Vermont Avenue, Westwood Blvd., Whittier Blvd. and many more city streets!