Imagine not worrying about getting stuck in traffic going to work, school, play or even routine errands. No frazzled nerves. No hunting for shortcuts. No Sig alerts. No standard excuse for being late. You can get where you want to go, when you want to get there anywhere in sprawling Los Angeles County.
You can make it happen. You’re already taking the first step by seeking more information about traffic congestion and what can be done about it. You now know that Metro has a plan to handle the county’s mobility needs today through the year 2030.
The Draft Long Range Transportation Plan prioritizes dozens of new highway and public transit projects in virtually every corner of Los Angeles County. Freeway gap closures, construction of carpool lanes, interchange improvements and truck lanes would complement new public transit projects including busways, freeway express service, and rail lines to handle the county’s population and job growth through the year 2030.
Metro welcomes your input on this plan and any ideas you have for achieving the goal of hassle-free mobility. Community meetings are held frequently and you can even chat on the Internet with Metro Board Chair Pam O’Connor. Look to metro.net for more information about Pam’s monthly live chats.
A lot has been done in the past decade to ease traffic in the Los Angeles region. In fact, the Texas Transportation Institute recently applauded the multi-pronged approach Metro, Caltrans and their transportation partners have taken to relieve congestion. While this region remains the nation’s most congested, it also ranks number one in terms of operational improvements that squeeze more capacity out of our streets and highways and number three in savings as a result of our expanding public transportation system.
Clearly, this comprehensive approach is effective. We just need to do more. A lot more. We’re ready. But it takes money and public commitment. With Washington and Sacramento strapped for funds, there has been a grassroots movement among local business and community leaders and elected officials to explore creative ways of financing the dream of hassle-free mobility. Among options being considered are public-private partnerships, toll roads, developer mitigation fees, higher parking rates, levying carbon taxes on polluting vehicles and other measures including a new half-cent sales tax for transportation.
Surely, there must be a lot more debate before any decision is made on proposing new fees or taxes for transportation improvements. Metro will help facilitate that discussion through public meetings like the you’ve attended today, and by providing solid facts and options for public consideration, including what it will cost taxpayers to keep our region mobile and realize a traffic-free future.
The Draft Long Range Transportation Plan prioritizes dozens of new highway and public transit projects in virtually every corner of Los Angeles County. Freeway gap closures, construction of carpool lanes, interchange improvements and truck lanes would complement new public transit projects including busways, freeway express service, and rail lines to handle the county’s population and job growth through the year 2030.