Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.
Behind the scenes at LAX (L.A. Times)
I know all I do when I go to LAX is complain, but the L.A. Times takes a more balanced (and in-depth) look at the busy airport and what it takes to keep it running. Travelers usually aren’t focused on the difficult task of getting their flight (and 1,700 others per day) off the ground safely, but LAX employs a massive and varied staff to get the job done. A few of their stories are shared here. A good read.
CicLAvia Could Get a $200,000 Grant from Los Angeles (KCET)
CicLAvia, the special event where miles of L.A. roads are closed off to cars so that cyclists and pedestrians can use the streets safely, was a huge hit earlier this year – and it’s returning next weekend. CicLAvia organizers may have some good news to look forward as the City Council decides whether to approve a motion to give the event a $200,000 grant. The grant comes from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Trust Fund (MSAP).
Faulty Assumptions In The TTI Urban Mobility Report (Planetizen)
L.A. ranked third in this year’s Texas Transportation Institute’s congestion ranking, but Planetizen writer Todd Litman encourages planners to take the rankings with a grain of salt. In fact, he lists eight “major errors and biases” in the report.
Think Southern California is unplanned? Think again (L.A. Times)
There’s a common thought that L.A.’s urban sprawl is the product of no planning, but a book by historian Greg Hise contends that the reality is quite the opposite. Hise’s book reveals that a vision for a decentralized L.A. was in the works since the 1920’s.
Why Are There So Many Cracks in L.A.’s Sidewalks? (LAist)
Nobody walks in L.A.? Maybe it’s because the state of the sidewalks make a simple walk into a mountain climbing expedition. LAist has video from KCET’s Vince Gonzales on why L.A.’s sidewalks are in such bad shape (tree roots!) and what can be done to fix them (probably nothing short of having homeowners pay for repairs).
Categories: Transportation Headlines
I think CicLAvia is an important event that opens people’s eyes to a different Los Angeles where streets aren’t just the realm of the car, but I question how the $200K would be used. Why does an event like this cost so much money? Is it all for cops and street closures?
$200,000 in taxpayer funded grants for a bicycling event? You have to be kidding me!
No way. That $200,000 could be put to better use. Why not use the same amount to convert some of the lighting at our rail stations to energy efficient LEDs? That would have the benefit of saving millions in electricity costs down the road, whose savings then can go to making transit even better.
Seriously, this tough economy has brought to light on how the city of LA is wasting our tax dollars. There needs to be more accountabilty for using our taxpayer money.
I have to agree with angry middle class, $200,000 for CicLavia is plain STUPID. We can use it for more rail or Homeless shelters or somthing that actually helps people.
Angry Middle Class, why don’t you come out and join us? It’s a wonderful event. Keep an open mind.
“CicLAvia $200,000 from LA”
Yet another useless, pointless, waste of our tax dollars that doesn’t earn anything and doesn’t produce results ASAP.
The same $200,000 would be put to better use to convert more free park-and-ride lots to paid meters.
Stop the nonsense. Spend tax money wisely on stuff that will earn revenue.