It finally appears as though the Expo Bike Path, the path that is going to run parallel to Phases I and II of the Expo Line is going to be built.  After the Expo Construction Authority punted on taking the lead on the project earlier this year, leaving the federally funded path to Los Angeles, Culver City and Santa Monica to complete the environmental reviews; it appeared the path might not happen.  After all, if construction couldn't begin by the time Phase II of the Expo Line began construction, the path would become unaffordable.  

However, the LADOT and City of Los Angeles seem poised to rush through the environmental review so that the path is ready for construction by the end of the calendar year.  Soon, a final design for the path will be available for public review as part of the NEPA process required before any federal dollars can be spent.

While a lot of work has gone into getting the path to this phase, and in addressing the areas where teh path will temporarily turn into bike lanes; there is still criticism of the path which will come up as the review process moves forward.  Of chief concern is the design of the path which has cyclists moving parallel and next to the I-10 for on portion of the ride and moves cyclists onto bike lanes on National for another stretch.  Despite the planner's intent that the path would connect the Downtown to Santa Monica, there has yet to be a public presentation of any plan to provide a feeder network into the path for cyclists looking to get in off local streets.

For example, the plan calls for bike lanes on Exposition Boulevard as it crosses Western, home of the controversial crossing of the Foshay Learning Center.  If you look at an overhead map of the area, you'll see that the Expo Line will run down the middle of Exposition and the bike lanes will run one-way parallel the car traffic.  That means that any student, teacher or administrator that lives west of the learning center would either have to ride in the wrong direction on Exposition Blvd, walk their bike or take a half-mile detour to safely enter the center at the start of the day.  The opposite is true for those living east of the school that want to bike home at the end of the day. 

My guess?  Most students will ride in the wrong direction on Exposition for the last leg of their ride, against the grain of traffic and contrary to what we're trying to teach them about safe cycling.

So if the planned bike path isn't the perfect solution, what is?  Last week on the "Expo Exposure" ride, the third annual "Bike Not to Work Day" ride, a group of thirty cyclists rode path of the future Expo line from Vermont Ave all the way into Culver City.  As the group of cyclists snaked down the residential areas of Exposition Boulevard, a similar thought was expressed by nearly every cyclist I spoke with: this street, running parallel to the light rail, would make a perfect Bike Boulevard or complete street.

The concept of a Bike Boulevard is a street that is designed not only for cyclists, but to give a community control of its streets and open space.  A great explanation of a Bike Boulevard can be found on the Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Portland's webpage.

Turning Exposition into a Boulevard would not impede residents from getting to and from their homes but would instead tie the community better in to the light rail line and encourage residents to embrace the rail and their local streets.  Such treatments would also make for safer crossings near Dorsey High School and the Foshay Learning Center by reducing commuter traffic near the schools.

It would take some work, but creating a series of complete, protected and community-controlled streets connecting the Downtown to Santa Monica, to provide cyclists a series of safety and equality while biking on our streets can be done.  However, it would take a major investment of time and brainpower by planners in all three cities.  The first step in getting that investment is asking and then demanding it.

The good news is that the bike path is on its way; but that still leaves the question of whether or not the bike path is the best thing the three Expo cities should be doing for cyclists and for their community.

I just got off the phone with Darrell Clarke who confirmed our suspicions, the Expo Construction Authority Board of Directors has authorized the staff to move forward with the studies for Phase II with the "LRT-2" alignment down the existing right-of-way and then Colorado straight to Santa Monica.

There was a couple of minor changes to the resolution posted with the Board's agenda.  Following the testimony of 53 speakers representing supporters, opponents, people worried about the rail yard, people trying to preserve Bergamont Station, the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition and a couple of Midnight Ridazz, and some of the opponents of Phase I; the Board asked the staff to take a second look at the issues in question.  Those include the fate of the bikeway, and location of the rail yard and stations in Santa Monica.  That report will be presented at their June board meeting.

This move is hardly the end of the road for Phase II, heck we're not even at the end of the road for Phase I which is already under construction.  During his public comment, Damien Goodmon threatened to file a federal Environmental Justice lawsuit three weeks from tomorrow.

Thanks also to Ingrid Peterson who kept me in the loop during the meeting.

UPDATE: Just got an email from Damien Goodmon that explains the potential Environmental Justice lawsuit in better context.  First, his comment about the lawsuit came at the end of a statement pleading for Measure R and stimulus funds to go towards grade separating between Dorsey High School and USC.  Second, the suit only has to do with Phase I of the project.

Tomorrow, the Expo Construction Authority will vote on a "Final" route for Phase II of the Expo Line that will undergo an environmental study before final design and construction.  The staff has recommended, and the Board will almost assuredly follow their recommendation, that the they move forward with option "LRT-2" or in layman's terms a light rail option that will run down the existing right-of-way before turning down Colorado Avenue towards the coast. 

This route has long been a favorite of most locals and environmentalists because it provides the most direct, least costly and least environmentally dangerous route for the line.  Friends for Expo already have released a statement supporting the alignment and have set up a link for supporters to email the Construction Authority Board. Light Rail for Cheviot has also emailed supporters asking for their support at tomorrow's hearing and is pushing a secondary message of asking for a station at Westwood.

Thus far, the groups opposing the Expo Line have held their powder, although we can expect a response from them tomorrow.  Both the Cheviot Hills Homeowners Association and Neighbors for Smart Rail have opposed a Westwood Station.

While tomorrow may end the debate over where the line will go, it does nothing to close other parts of the debate.  The future of the Expo Bike Path, the issues of grade separation and where to place maintenance facilities are all to be decided at a future point.

The Board Meeting will begin tomorrow at 2:30 pm downtown in the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple, Third Floor, Board of Supervisors, Hearing Room 381B.

Several groups have sent Action Alerts to my inbox.  To read some of them, click through the jump.

Light Rail for Cheviot:

All Supporters of the Right-of-Way route for Phase 2 of the Expo Line:

THIS IS THE TIME WE REALLY NEED YOU TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE ROW!  THE EXPO BOARD IS FINALLY ABOUT TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE ROUTE!

Please either turn out for the Expo Board meeting on Thursday, April 2, at 2:30 pm downtown in the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple, Third Floor, Board of Supervisors, Hearing Room 381B, or email the Board members.  Use the addresses below to write them!

We formed to SUPPORT THE ROW, and that should be the MAIN MESSAGE. Also, WE WANT A STATION AT WESTWOOD - CHHA and NFSR are opposing it, arguing that only a station at Sepulveda is needed.  But we want to USE the light rail, not just watch it go by!  And this is your chance to tell the Board your views on the two main issues facing Cheviot Hills and Rancho Park:  at-grade or grade-separated at Overland, parking or greenway between Westwood and Overland.

Addresses:

councilmember.perry@lacity.org ,councilmember.wesson@lacity.org,councilmember.parks@lacity.org,seconddistrict@lacbos.org,zev@lacbos.org,pam.oconnor@smgov.net,scott.malsin@culvercity.org

Los Angeles County Bike Coalition:

Attention Cyclists: We have an important opportunity to demand that the Expo Bikeway is built!

WHAT: Expo Board of Directors meeting WHEN: Thursday, April 2, 2:30pm WHERE: Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration , 500 W. Temple Street, Third Floor, Board of Supervisors' Hearing Room 381 B The Expo Board will vote on a design alternative for Phase 2 (Culver City to Santa Monica) and they must address outstanding bikeway issues.  At this meeting, we need to get a commitment that they will build the bikeway. Please attend this meeting and speak in support of the Expo Bikeway project! You don't need a polished presentation; just let them know we need this and it needs to be done right.  Here are some key points: - The bikeway must be built with the Expo project.  Since it was not included in the Draft-EIR, we need a commitment and a plan from Expo on how that will happen. - Some intersections where Expo proposes the bikeway go have serious problems with road crossings: Venice & Robertson, Pico @ Gateway, Olympic @ Stewart.  Expo needs to work with LA and Santa Monica to find safe and convenient solutions. - Expo, Metro and the cities need to find funding for the bikeway so that it can be built at the same time as the rail line. - If the Expo Bikeway is not built at the same time as the rail line, costs will increase dramatically and construction difficulties could be created - The goal of the Expo project is to reduce auto use.  The bikeway is a critical component because it can deliver transit users to stations without car trips and provides a much-needed crosstown commuter bikeway.  We need as many cyclists' voices as possible to ensure the building of the Expo Bikeway!

The result?  The five person CPUC panel backed an Alternative Decision written by Commissioner Chong which still requires a pedestrian bridge at the Farmdale crossing near Dorsey High School but only relieves the Construction Authority from building a crossing at the Foshay Learning Center.  The ruling should allow for a speedier construction of Phase I of the Expo Line than if they had went with the original suggestion to build pedestrian bridges at both locations.  However, they still need to come up with several million dollars to build the pedestrian bridge for Farmdale.

A second alternative was offered by Commissioner Timothy Simon which would have required the bridge for Dorsey High School, but denied the permit to build near the Foshay Learning Center until a new study could be completed on the pedestrian access to and from the Learning Center after Expo is built.  Simon even channeled some of the opposition calling the process that has led to the removal of pedestrian concerns for Foshay an example of why minority communities don't have faith in the public process.

A CPUC judge ruled previously that the Expo Construction Authority had to build pedestrian bridges at both Dorsey High School and the Foshay Learning Center but his ruling is considered only a "suggestion" until the panel made its final ruling this morning.

The decision was blasted before it was even issued.  The Los Angeles Unified School District, a longtime opponent of the line released a letter slamming the decision making process as "closed door."  Expo Communities United (ECU), the group with which Damien Goodmon is most closely affiliated, released a letter supporting the LAUSD's position.  After the ruling, Goodmon told Streetsblog:

...I find it unfortunate that the Commission adopted such a legally flawed Decision.  There are more legal holes in the Chong Alternative Decision, than a pound of swiss cheese.  Furthermore, the process which led to the Decision will clearly earn concern any actual judge. 

Nonetheless, we look forward to participating in the now mandatory environmental review process, regarding which of the grade separated options at Farmdale will be adopted.  Unlike the previous environmental review process, the community enters the process with adequate legal representation.

Additionally, we now more firmly recognize that the only changes that will occur at Foshay or at other crossings along the line, will need to be obtained politically or through other legal courts.

Buried in the text of CPUC's ruling is a summary of the public comment.  The document admits that nearly 90% of the comments it received were either against at-grade crossings or against Expo altogether.  The early reactions to this decision seem to show that these opponents are not satisfied with either the process or result of the CPUC hearings. 

So the question remains, is this the final hurdle before Construction on Phase I of the Expo project can be completed, or is it just another stop on Expo's bumpy ride.

The Exposition Construction Authority, the quasi independent agency charged with building the Expo Line, will hold three hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement tomorrow.  There will be two more hearings next week, and each provide an opportunity to make your voice heard on what kind of Expo Line you wish to see.

The largest issue to be resolved is what alignment Phase II should take although other issues, such as whether or not grade crossings are built at-grade or below-grade and the future of the Expo Bike path are also up for discussion.

The environmental documents favor the construction of the light rail extension down Exposition Boulevard, along the existing Right-of-Way, an alternative also favored by Friends 4 Expo Transit.  However, some activists in Santa Monica are pushing for the train to go down Colorado Avenue to avoid passing close to their public schools.

The grade-crossing issue has been around for nearly as long as Expo has been under debate.  A group of homeowners and activists in the Cheviot Hills Area are insisting that no rail be built that isn't below ground because of safety and congestion concerns.

Last, but not least, the issue of whether or not the Expo Construction Authority will take the lead on building the bike lane that should connect the downtown to Santa Monica needs to be resolved.  The Expo Construction Authority seems to be backing away from a commitment to build it to avoid federal oversight.  However, bike advocates that have long-supported the bike trail urge the Authority Board, most of whom are elected officials to change the staff decision.

The calendar for the public hearings, and how to comment if you can't make them, can be found after the jump.  You can find the Draft Environmental Impact Statement here.

Wednesday, February 18, 5:00 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Santa Monica High School
Cafeteria
601 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA
Parking available in the North Student lot on the north-east corner of the campus

Monday, February 23, 5:00 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services
Gymnasium
3200 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
Parking available on campus.

Wednesday, February 28, 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Webster Middle School
“Daniel’s Den”
11330 West Graham Place
Los Angeles, CA
Parking available in local school lot and off Graham Place and along adjacent streets

At long last, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Phase II of the Expo Line is now online and even though I got the announcement in my inbox just under two hours ago, I have yet to get any emails from proponents or opponents of the line commenting on it.  I'm going to wade into reading the document tonight when I get home from City Hall, but if anyone wants to get their shots in early, here's your chance.

You can find the Draft Environmental Impact Statement here and the notice of availibility here.

One group I have heard from already is a group of bike advocates who note that the proposed bike trail that would run parallel to the line, think of the Orange Line Bike Path for the Westside, is included in the plan.

In Appendix E, Plans and Profiles, the bike path is included in the drawings.

The alternatives chapter (Chapter 2, Page 35) also mentions the bike path:

Bicycle Facilities

Stations will include bicycle racks and lockers in accordance with Metro Design Criteria.
Additionally, a parallel bicycle facility (bike path, on street bike lane, or on street bike route) is
being planned by others. To the extent possible, this facility has been considered in the
development of the LRT Alternatives.

Image: Friends For Expo

On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission will take up the issue of whether or not the plans for Phase I of the Expo Line are safe for the students of the Foshay Learning Center and Dorsey High School.  A preliminary ruling in late October sided with those opposed to Expo's current construction plan because it was dangerous to students at the two schools.

After the initial ruling, both those for and those against the Expo Line as it is currently designed increased their public relations efforts.  A South L.A. Newspaper, the Sentinel, conducted a Q and A with leaders on both sides of the Expo Debate back in October, does a good job of explaining the "pro" position on the line.  If you want to read a long point by point rebuttal of many of the arguments outlined in the article, Damien Goodmon has helpfully provided them at the Fix Expo blog.  Advance warning, this long post takes some time to read.

Check back on Thursday for the results of hearing and any news on the next steps in the battle.

Image: Citizen's Campaign to Fix the Expo Line

However, the greater concern to Expo advocates is that the environmental and design phases for the bridge could easily delay the project's opening for up to three years.  The light rail line was scheduled to open in 2013.

Damien Goodmon, head of the Citizen's Campaign to Fix the Expo Line, wasn't completely happy with the ruling.  He tells the LA Times that his group will continue to push for grade separation at each of the South LA schools.

However, if you know the loqacious Mr. Goodmon, you know that he wasn't done with just a statement to the Times.  The full text of his media statement can be found after the jump.

n a decision regarding the Expo Line Construction Authority's proposed street-level crossing next to Dorsey HS, the judge has ruled MTA's crossing unsafe and the community and LAUSD's safety concerns valid.  The decision is a tentative decision that will either be adopted or amended by the full PUC commission on November 21, but it is a major milestone in the construction of the Expo Rail Line and struggle

"This is a major battle victory in a long and unfortunate war," said Damien Goodmon the Chair of United Community Associations, who's project is the Citizens' Campaign to Fix the Expo Rail Line (Fix Expo).

"We are pleased that the Judge heard the safety concerns of the rail safety experts, traffic experts, LAUSD and the community.  And we are regretful that the Commission didn't allow hearings on many of the other crossings.  We believe that as the evidentiary hearings on Farmdale and Harvard revealed the evidence used by the Expo Authority to support their assertions that they are building a safe project is unfounded and has been manipulated."

"We believe it is now incumbent upon our from the council members to the congressional leaders to listen to the Judge's and experts concerns about the safety of this crossing, and take into account the impact to the community of the grade separated options.  This is a transportation project that will impact this community for 100 years.  It is important we have a safe light rail line that is a compliment and a good neighbor to the South LA communities that it passes through."

"Our intent is to now go back to the community and discuss this further, but for now we are relieved that the street-level crossing has been taken off the table."

Russ Quimby international rail safety testified in the hearing that the street-level crossing left a high risk of catastrophic accident (http://fixexpo.blogspot.com/2008/10/international-rail-safety-expert-russ.html):

As proposed, the Farmdale Avenue crossing creates a high risk that students will be injured and killed because the proposed safety mitigation measures essentially put the burden on students to maintain their own safety. The proposed crossing also creates a higher risk of a catastrophic accident. [....]

By "catastrophic accident," I mean an accident involving fatalities and/or injuries to a large number of people. As proposed, the at-grade Farmdale Avenue crossing creates the notable risk that a catastrophic accident may well occur under one of several different scenarios.  For example:

First, that a train will collide with a vehicle with sufficient force to either derail the train into and/or push the vehicle into the proposed "holding pens" where several hundred students are trapped inside, killing or seriously injuring scores of students in a single accident.

Second, that a train will collide with a vehicle (particularly a truck or bus) rupturing and igniting a fuel tank which would engulf students in the holding pen in flaming diesel or gasoline.

Third, a combination of the above two scenarios where the students are crushed and burned simultaneously by vehicles and/or a derailed train.

We need to reconsider what's important.  I don't want to hear ever again 'it's cheaper to build it at grade' or 'it's faster to build it at grade.'  I don't care about the price, I want to hear about the safety.

After testimony from Fix Expo, Neighbors for Smart Rail, and representatives from the South and Westside Neighborhood Councils, Jay Handal of the Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce summarized the commenter's thoughts:

How many deaths will it take to get the job done right?

The Expo Construction Authority must really be feeling the heat these days. 

KPFK's Francisco Martinez reports that Dakota Communications, the same firm hired to promote the proposed Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga and found itself in a spot of controversy when one of their strategy memos leaked to the press, has been hired to collect signatures outside of shopping areas in support of Phase 1 of the Expo Project.  Ironically, Martinez broke the story after being approached by a signature gatherer outside of a Home Depot.

The news of Dakota's hiring was met with anger by opponents of the light rail line.  Fix Expo's Damien Goodmon charges in the Bottleneck Blog that Dakota Communications' "...specialty is to create false community support when the community is 100% opposed to something that is not safe."  For their part, the PR Firm claims their just trying to set the record straight on the benefits Light Rail would bring to the community.

Predictably, one's views of whether or not the hiring of Dakota Communications is a big deal depends on what side of the Expo Line debate you find yourself.  Over at MetroRider, "Aaron" responds to Goodmon's response by brushing off the news of Expo's newest ally and focuses on attacking Goodmon and other Expo critics.  "Who needs the BRU, when we have someone willing to act as a voluntary spokesman for Cheviot Hills NIMBYs?"

This newest Expo mini-controversy arrives just before hearings are held by the Public Utilities Commission on whether or not to allow the Expo Line to be built with at-grade, aka street level, grade crossings by two South LA schools.  The re-scheduled hearings are a clear sign that the court ordered mediation efforts between opponents and the construction authority were not successful.  For a full listing of the new hearing schedule, read on after the jump.

From the California Public Utilities' Commission:

Evidentiary Hearing - September 2 at 1:oo P.M. (through September 9 if necesary)
Commission Hearing Room
320 West 4th Street, Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Concurrent Opening Briefs September 22

Concurrent Reply Briefs October 8

Proposed Decision (PD) October 22

Comments on PD November 12

Reply Comments November 17

Commission Decision November 21