After the Measure R half-cent sales tax was approved last year by voters, Metro officials said they would aggressively move the county’s transportation agenda forward.  The tax increase took effect in July and with revenues now trickling in, planning of several rail lines is chugging along.

Three Measure R projects are already in the draft environmental review stages — they have to be studied before they’re built — and community meetings are scheduled for each in October and November. These meetings are a good chance to learn a lot more about all the projects and also ask questions. After all, these are all big and very projects.

Metro Westside Subway Extension Station Information Meetings
October 22-November 5
Click here for meeting dates and locations

The Westside Subway Extension project is currently studying two underground alternatives for the extension of the Metro subway in West Los Angeles.  Station information meetings will focus on where Metro should place the underground stations and street-level entrances. Staff will also discuss issues involving the feasibility of building stations in different locations.

It’s important to know that the the meetings are not intended as a public forum on station art or architecture — that will come later in the process. Metro staff have already been looking at the pros and cons of a variety of locations and members of the public are invited to provide input.

Regional Connector Community Update Meetings
November 5-12
Click here for meeting dates and locations (News Release Scheduled for Distribution Oct. 20)

The Regional Connector project is evaluating two rail alternatives to connect the Metro Blue Line, Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension and future Expo Line through Downtown L.A.  The project team will be updating the community on technical analysis completed since public meetings were held this past spring.

Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2
Oct. 20-22
Click here for meeting dates and locations
These community meetings will present details of two recommended rail alternatives for the possible extension of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension project past East Los Angeles.  The alternatives recommended for further environmental review are a light rail along either State Route 60 or one following Washington Boulevard.

Harbor Subdivision Transit Corridor Project
October 19-22
Click here for meeting dates and locations

The Harbor Subdivision Transit Corridor project is in its Alternatives Analysis phase and is examining potential transit service along 26 miles the Metro-owned freight rail right-of-way between the cities of Vernon and Wilmington.  Metro will present the results of previous community meetings on project alternatives, as well as present urban design concepts.

Comment Period Still Open for Bus Project

Planning efforts are also moving forward on other transit projects. Earlier this month, Metro completed public scoping meetings for the Wilshire Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit Project.  If you missed these meetings, there’s still time to submit your comments.  The deadline is Oct. 23.