Here’s the news release from Metro:
Metro applauds action taken today by the U.S. House of Representatives in approving a six-year surface transportation authorization bill called the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRR).
“I want to thank U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and members of the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation who worked so hard to get Congress moving on a new – and much needed transportation bill,” said Metro Board Chair Mark Ridley-Thomas. “The federal transportation bill, when it is finally signed into law by President Obama, will provide a welcome opportunity to leverage our local Metro funds with federal dollars – to bring more mobility, more access, to more people across Los Angeles County,” added Metro’s Board Chairman.
The bill authorizes $325 billion over the next six years for federal transportation programs. Overall the House bill provides funding at current levels plus inflation over the six-years compared to the Senate bill with would provide 11.4% growth for highway programs and 15.4% growth for transit programs.
The STRR will now be conferenced with the Senate Passed DRIVE Act in the coming weeks. Metro remains hopeful that a compromise can be worked out between Senate and House bills that provides the best funding senerios for transportation.
“We are pleased that Congress is making sure and steady progress in finally adopting a new surface transportation authorization bill that will provide financial certainty to Metro and transportation agencies across the United States,” said Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Phillip A. Washington. “While the transportation bills in the House and Senate are not perfect and are not fully funded, they do represent an opportunity to renew and refresh Metro’s positive working relationship with the U.S. Department of Transportation.”
Metro remains committed to working closely with the House and Senate members on the conference committee to reconcile the House and Senate surface transportation bills and to ensure that the final bill includes the highest transportation funding possible.
Categories: Policy & Funding
i hope that the three blueline stations in florence firestone community which are slauson florence and firestone blue line stations can get some updates and beautification did as well as others in the second district also and hopefully also with that money the ycan extend the firestone blue line station platform north bound so riders can stop running on red lights and out in front of traffic just to catch the west bound manchester/firestone blvd ro 115 metro bus and bring more art to the blueline as well and paint the top of the canopies at firestone station or replace rthe canopies that wasnt replaced in the most recent blueline updates