The Eastside Gold Line Extension just opened in November but planning continues on a possible extension of the extension to South El Monte or Whittier. Four public meetings are being held in late February to update residents on the planning process for the Eastside Transit Corridor project.

At this point, the project is still in the draft environmental study phase and there are four options on the table: 1) a light rail line along the 60 freeway to South El Monte (click here for a map); 2) a light rail line that would follow the 60 and then head south along Washington Boulevard to Whittier (click here for a map); 3) improving bus service in the corridor, and; 4) not building the project.

The Metro Board of Directors will eventually choose which option to pursue.

Phase 2 of the Gold Line is a Measure R project and is due to receive $1.27 billion in sales tax revenues. The project is scheduled to be complete in the 2030s although Metro officials and other elected officials are trying to find federal funds that may allow that timeline to be advanced.

Details of the meetings are after the jump in a press release issued by Metro.

As environmental work continues for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project, Metro will hold four community scoping meetings on February 22-27 in Pico Rivera, South El Monte, Montebello and Whittier to review two build alternatives: light rail transit via State Route 60 and on Washington Boulevard in addition to a transportation systems management (improving bus services), and a no-build alternative.

The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project area consists of portions of eight jurisdictions including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

The scoping meetings are the first step in the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (DEIS/DEIR) in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The public will learn about the proposed project, provide input on the alternatives and the evaluation process used to identify and mitigate environmental impacts.

The four community meetings will be held on:

Monday, February 22
Pio Pico Women’s Center
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
9214 Mines Avenue
Pico Rivera

Wednesday, February 24
South El Monte Senior Center (dining room)
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
1556 Central Avenue
South El Monte

Thursday, February 25
Senior Center at City Park, South Wing
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
115 South Taylor Avenue
Montebello

Saturday, February 27
The Salvation Army Santa Fe Springs (Studio 12000)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
12000 East Washington Boulevard
Whittier

The format of the meetings will include an open house followed by a presentation to inform participants of the environmental process and provide an opportunity to ask questions about the study and submit comments.
Since 2007, Metro has conducted an Alternative Analysis (AA) and has prepared supplemental technical studies to identify feasible routes to extend the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension to cities farther east of Los Angeles.
Every day, approximately 50,000 commuting trips leave the area bound for central Los Angeles and 115,000 daily work trips are made within the study area, itself. These existing conditions, combined with projected population growth of 24 percent and employment growth of 15 percent over the next 30 years, illustrate the need for additional transit alternatives.
If members of the public are unable to attend any of the scoping meetings they may still submit comments by mail, fax or e-mail. The comments must be received by April 14, 2010.
For questions about technical information related to this project contact Kimberly Yu, Metro Planning Project Manager, Metro Planning, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-22-2, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, (213) 922-7910 or e-mail: yuki@metro.net
For questions about public outreach or any community concerns contact Ann Kerman, Constituent Program Manager, Metro Regional Communications, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, (213) 922-7671 or e-mail: kermana@metro.net. To learn more about this project, visit Metro’s website at www.metro.net/eastsidephase2 and Facebook.com /Metroeastsidephase2.