Subway inches forward

The Subway to the Sea took a very small step forward today with money for a study. But some members of the MTA want to be clear that the action doesn't mean they support the $4-billion-plus Wilshire Boulevard project:

The MTA board agreed today to spend $3.6 million to study the feasibility of extending the Purple Line to Santa Monica. A federal ban, in place since 1985, prevents the Metro Purple Line from extending west on Wilshire Boulevard past Western Avenue, but the transit agency is moving forward with plans to study alternate routes and preliminary engineering and environmental issues. Board members said commissioning the study, which should take 12 to 18 months to complete, does not mean the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is endorsing the project or will necessarily move forward with plans to extend the Purple Line, which was previously called the Red Line between Union Station and Wilshire/Western. "When we speak in terms of competing for federal funds, there’s also other projects we’re looking at for federal funds as well. I want to be clear that this action, although a first step, is not in any way, shape or form approving a 'subway to the sea,' " said county Supervisor Don Knabe. (CNS)

Comments

[Amir K]

So let me ask everyone: if we slept tonight and in the morning we found the Purple Line to be fully completed and running all the way down Wilshire to 3rd St., how many of you would take it? Regularly, frequently, etc.? I know that I'd take a bus up Bundy from my house and head to Union Station for my many coastal train rides. I also would take it for work, as I work right on Wilshire.

Any thoughts?

[Sanchez]

The study might take 18 months, this is funny because 18 months is what it might take to complete the subway to the sea (from start to finish of construction). Getting the money is another thing!I hope they construct the Creshaw line at the same time!

[Marcotico]

If this had been seriously pursued back in the 90's when the everyone was complaining about the original redline being built we'd almost be there now, but instead we have to wait another 15-20 years. OOooooo it makes me sooo mad.

[Jeremy R]

All i have to say was in the late 70's the Bay Area poured tons of money into a BART system that is largely subway. Now, most poeple in Northern CA have used it at least once. We are 30 years beghind. Lets get it done already!

[Allen Hamilton]

Extend it to Fairfax (past the Art Musuem) then north (past The Grove) then west on Santa Monica Bl. to the ocean.

[David in Tarzana]

Wow David Raether you're truly an optimist!

"And ten years from now when the Purple Line is finished to Santa Monica ..."

Try in 15 - 20 years when it is finished. The study itself will take 18 months to be completed. Then there is the matter of the funding.

What do you think the chances of someone doing a study on this and coming back and saying "No it's not feasible....the ridership isn't there. Wilshire isn't dense enough to support a subway."

Why isn't our Mayor our front on this....It was just a catchy slogan to help get him elected...why should he put any more effort into it. That's all he wanted. He doesn't care if there is a subway to the sea.

Here we go again....

[Toni]

Simple reasoning should be enough... Leave Santa Monica after 3:00pm = 2 hours to get home = subway please.

[David Raether]

And ten years from now when the Purple Line is finished to Santa Monica and everyone is hailing it as a masterstroke of public infrastructure investment, the County Supervisors will be saying they favored it all along.

Why isn't Antonio out in the lead on this demanding it move forward?

Must be too busy holding press conferences about his divorce.

[David Raether]

And ten years from now when the Purple Line is finished to Santa Monica and everyone is hailing it as a masterstroke of public infrastructure investment, the County Supervisors will be saying they favored it all along.

Why isn't Antonio out in the lead on this demanding it move forward?

Must be too busy holding press conferences about his divorce.

[David Raether]

And ten years from now when the Purple Line is finished to Santa Monica and everyone is hailing it as a masterstroke of public infrastructure investment, the County Supervisors will be saying they favored it all along.

Why isn't Antonio out in the lead on this demanding it move forward?

Must be too busy holding press conferences about his divorce.

[D]

Mr. Don Knabe, why arent we endorsing the Subway to the sea. grow some balls god damn it. what is this BS pandering to the Freaking BRUl?

[Pete McFerrin]

Knabe opposes a Wilshire subway because it wouldn't be in his district, and he thus couldn't cut the ribbon on it. Pure and simple.

Transportation and land use planning really need to be done differently in greater Los Angeles. Man.