The public can get the latest news on plans to improve transit in the area east of the Eastside Gold Line extension. Four alternatives are being studied as part of a draft environmental impact report: 1) extending the light rail line along the 60 freeway to South El Monte; 2) extending the light rail line mostly along Washington Blvd. to Whittier; 3) improving bus service in the area, and; 4) not doing anything.

The project is due to get $1.27 billion from the Measure R sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008 and the long-range plan adopted by the Metro Board of Directors last year has a project being completed in the mid 2030s.

The first meeting is being held tonight in Pico Rivera. Three other meetings are scheduled between now and the end of the month.

All the details are after the jump. Here’s a link to the project website and the project also has a Facebook page.

Metro sets environmental community scoping meetings Feb. 22-27 for Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project

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, 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, 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.