February 20 , 2008 Contact: Jose Ubaldo/Marc Littman Metro Media Relations 213.922.3087/922.4609 www.metro.net/pressroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News conference was held on the historic First Street Bridge, where the track alignment is under construction.

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, center, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, with orange safety vest, are flanked by, front row, from left, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke, U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Metro CEO Roger Snoble. Below, Senator Boxer attests to the merits of the light rail project.

Above, construction workers smooth paving. Downtown skyline is in view. Below, track alignment spills into East Los Angeles as county officials set up news conference.

U.S. Senator Boxer visits Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension construction site on the historic First Street Bridge.

• Video: News conference

(February 20, 2008) – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) visited the construction site of the nearly $900 million light rail project that that will extend the Metro Gold Line to connect downtown Los Angeles with East L.A.

Senator Boxer said, “The people of Los Angeles know gridlock, traffic congestion and poor air quality all too well, so I am proud to have helped secure federal funds to support this project which will ease congestion, reduce air pollution and improve our daily lives.”

Senator Boxer has helped secure more than $460 million in federal funding for the project, including nearly $180 million over the past two years. The $898.8 million project is within budget, on time, and is expected to be completed in late 2009.

Boxer was joined by U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles County Supervisors Gloria Molina, Yvonne Braithwaite Burke and Zev Yaroslavsky, as well as Metro CEO Roger Snoble.

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