Metro CEO Art Leahy has just issued this legislative alert:
America Fast Forward – Embedded in Surface Transportation Bill – Heads to White House for President’s Signature
America Fast Forward, the innovative national transportation finance plan championed by our Board Chairman and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and our Board of Directors, is slated to become the centerpiece of the innovative finance portion of America’s new surface transportation program. Earlier today, the United States House of Representatives passed HR 4348, the Conference Report on the new surface transportation bill by a margin of 373-52, with the entire Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation voting in favor. The bill, known as MAP-21, reauthorizes Federal transportation policy and funding levels through September, 2014 at current funding levels, adjusted for inflation. Less than an hour after the House passed HR 4348, the United States Senate followed suit by passing the bill by a margin of 74-19, with both California Senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, voting in favor. Metro is deeply appreciative to our Board of Directors, Senator Boxer and all members of the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation and other Members of Congress, and the broad coalition of labor, business, and environmental groups who worked hard to ensure that MAP-21 includes America Fast Forward. The bill is headed to the White House, where President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law.
MORE: American Public Transportation Association (APTA) report
House and Senate Vote to Pass Surface Transportation Conference Report
Categories: America Fast Forward, Policy & Funding
[…] federal borrowing costs. In Los Angeles, which has promoted the program heavily under the name “America Fast Forward,” TIFIA loans will allow for the completion of such projects as L.A.’s Westside […]
[…] borrowing costs. In Los Angeles, which has promoted the program heavily under the name “America Fast Forward,” TIFIA loans will allow for the completion of such projects as L.A.’s Westside […]
This does not mean that Metro can go ahead and put a tunnel under BHHS.
That will have to wait.
This bill only means that other projects can move along more quickly.
Now if the MTA can realize that putting the tunnel under Santa Monica Boulevard would make the L.A. transportation system of tomorrow happen much sooner, then we would all benefit.
Please Metro, start digging when Obama signs the bill and aim for SMB.
I want to see the Subway to the Sea in my lifetime.
George Vreeland Hill