Bad day for San Gabriel Valley transit

Despite bipartisan support here, the two big-ticket transit items in the San Gabriel Valley's wish list  -- the extension of the Gold Line light rail from Pasadena to Ontario International Airport and the Alameda Corridor East freight rail project -- got shut out of federal funding this year in Congress. Officials aren't happy, the Tribune reports. As you recall, the SGV also got shut out of some freeway improvements from Caltrans ealier this year:

House Democrats gutted funding for two key San Gabriel Valley transportation projects even as they voted Tuesday to approve $104.4 billion for rail, bus and highway improvements in other parts of the country. Both the Alameda Corridor East railroad crossing improvement project, as well as the extension of the Gold Line to Claremont, were shut out of the 2008 transportation bill, sparking criticism from Glendora Republican Rep. David Dreier, who voted against it. "I cannot and will not support a bill that spends so much money and ignores the problem of traffic congestion in Southern California," Dreier said.

Comments

[Ken Alpern]

To begin with, I believe the SGV really did get shafted, but Dreier can blame himself. When he was in power, did he demand that a region as large as L.A. County get more than $100 million a year for the creation of multiple rail lines, or did he just (in turn) shaft the Downtown and Westside?

Payback's a toughie, ain't it, David?

Anyhow, it would still be nice for adults to dominate the scene in Washington and recognize that an Expo Line, a Foothill Gold Line, an Alameda Corridor East project and an Eastside Gold Line project aren't all mutually exclusive!

If only our state would come up with the local funds for an eligible federal match, and to show D.C. that if we're willing to pay our share that we expect something in return.

[Roger Christensen]

The winner here is East LA which scored $80 billion for the Gold Eastside extension now under construction.

[Pete McFerrin]

Honestly, the Pasadena side of the Gold Line ought to be discontinued and the right-of-way used for Metrolink service instead. The ridership density along the route is pitifully low as it is, and the Foothill Extension is going to drive it into the ground.

The SGV does get shafted on capital projects dollars, but building light rail lines that attract fewer than 1000 boardings/mile is not the solution for that. What it needs instead is more money for the Alameda Corridor East; more Metrolink service; a network of HOT lanes; and perhaps a lengthened El Monte Busway. The built environment of the area just does not support pedestrian-oriented transit service (i.e. light and heavy rail) the way central and western Los Angeles do.

[Richard H]

California taxpayers have been getting the shaft from D.C. for years.

The lion's share of taxes collected from California taxpayers goes to the Federal Government. However the "Balance of Payments" between tax receipts and Federal spending in the State has been in deficit to something like $50 billion a year. The chronic fiscal problems of the State Government and many local governments could be instantly solved with the money that goes to the Feds but never returns.

Maybe California shouldn't be so parsimonious. The Federal Government does so many wonderful things for the State, like patrol the international border to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the state and creating a huge welfare and health burden on state and local governments. Thank God for that.

Interesting reading from The California Institute for Federal Policy Research: ( http://www.calinst.org/pubs/balance2003.htm )

[Anthony Fernandez]

Sammy, the San Gabriel Valley has been getting the shaft from LA County, the state, and the federal government for years now. They can't get any transportation projects and secession may be the only way to get things done.

[Brandon]

Hopefully this isn't a big F-U to the whole region. On a positive note, maybe this will eliminate some of the competition among various rail projects in the region. Hopefully these other projects can now be fast tracked.

[LA Bus Girl]

Because secession worked so well for the S.F. Valley.

[Sammy]

Tom A. -- The Feds voted on this, in Congress, not LA County or Los Angeles.

[t nikah]

He says the bill "ignores the problem of traffic congestion in Socal?" What would be IGNORING THE PROBLEM would be voting to not fund SOLUTIONS, such as public transit!!!

[Tom A.]

Wow, that's a shock...not. The San Gabriel Valley is a lot like Cinderella, really: Always getting the shaft from the wicked stepmother (L.A. County) and the wicked stepsisters (the Westside and Downtown). They won't even let us go to the prince's ball (supporting us in our quest for transit funding).

If we as a region continue to get treated like we don't matter, we'll have no choice but to contact our fairy godmother (i.e. move to secede from L.A. County and form our own). Hopefully it won't come to that, but at this rate, we'll probably have to. Maybe then we'd see if the fat cats Downtown will miss the billions in tax dollars we shovel their way each year...