West LA

Earlier today, Metro released the findings of the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Wilshire Bus Only Lanes Project.  When the original "Final" EIR was presented last December, it called for 8.7 miles of bus only lanes running in both directions from Downtown Los Angeles to the border with Santa Monica, excluding a one mile portion in Beverly Hills.  Thanks to the triumph of politics over engineering studies, particularly the machinations of County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the document is now calling for a 7.7 mile route that also excludes the so-called Condo Canyon. 

Yesterday, we showed some of the possible designs for the Westwood/Exposition station of the Expo Line and called the decision "what's next for the Expo Construction Authority."  However, there's a lot more on the table than just the station design for one station.  Karen Leonard, one of the Chairs of Light Rail for Cheviot, checked in with Expo staff on the community outreach process for Phase II including an "Urban Design Committee" and "Bicycle Advisory Committee."  Her letter to community leaders can be found below. - DN

Now that the Expo Construction Authority has the legal green light to begin construction of Phase II of the Expo Line, it can move on to other issues.  Responding to a motion at the February 5, 2010 meeting of the Expo Construction Authority by Zev Yaroslavsky, Expo staff have put together a presentation listing the pros and cons of having station parking at the Expo Station at Westwood and Exposition.  The "no-parking" option has been endorsed by many of the groups backing the Expo Line such as Light Rail for Cheviot and Friends 4 Expo Transit.  The Construction Authority Board is expected to vote on whether to provide commuter parking  at their March 18 meeting.

Back in December, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas McKnew issued a preliminary ruling to dismiss the lawsuit brought by a coalition of Westside homeowner and community groups fighting Phase II of the Expo Line, which will complete the connection from Downtown Los Angeles to Downtown Santa Monica.  Last night, McKnew it official and denied the lawsuit brought by Neighbors for Smart Rail.  Expo backer Gökhan Esirgen sent out an email last night celebrating the ruling and commenting that, "This was the only major remaining legal hurdle facing the Expo Line."

Along the lower part of Ballona Creek in the Marina area, of the Ballona Creek Bike path rest a small series of sculptures created by local artist John Nielsen. While many people enjoy these statues, the County Engineer, Gregory Sarpy has ordered their destruction.  You've heard the expression the "squeeky wheel gets the grease?"  This is a great example of that old saying.  One person has been calling the engineers office daily to complain of the statues and he's apparently getting his way.  The stated concern is that the rock art is interfering with bird nesting.  I'm not sure what birds are trying to nest in that superexposed area, which is flooded during storms and just inches from the bikepath, but maybe the county knows something I don't.

Last week, we reported on an effort to add a proposed extension to the South Bay Bike Path through Venice Beach and away from Washington Boulevard.  There was some confusion as to how that extension would work, and yesterday Jim Kennedy provided images that better explain the path.

On Friday night, I received an agitated email from Ray Klein, a Board Member for the Brentwood Neighborhood Council who requested a retraction for my claim that he has continually misquoted LADOT Senior Traffic Engineer Kang Hu while making the case that Brentwood should be excluded from the Wilshire Bus Only Lane (BOL) project.

For Jim Kennedy, the matter is a simple one. The South Bay Beach Bicycle Path is a unique public resource, and cyclists shouldn't be forced to take a detour down Washington Boulevard in to Marina del Rey when they hit the Venice Pier to keep riding on it.

(Update 4:04 P.M.: I just got the following message from Council Man Rosendahl's Office.  We're cheered to know he's doing well, and wish him a speedy return.