Senate clears 'Subway to Sea'

L.A. officials announced that the Senate has finally approved the repeal on Wilshire Boulevard subway tunneling. This is a tiny step in the long-shot bid for a $5 billion "Subway to the Sea." Release from the city:

By an overwhelming vote of 88-7, the U.S. Senate today approved its version of the FY08 Transportation Appropriations bill. The $104.6 billion spending package includes language that repeals the longstanding federal ban on subway tunneling along the Wilshire Corridor. The provision, which was inserted by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, is identical to that which was also included in the House Transportation Appropriations bill. In addition, the Senate spending measure includes $70 million in New Starts funds for the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension.

Comments

[David in Los Angeles]

Finally.

[lsm]

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, 'See, this is new?' it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after."

Extending the Metro 761 south to LAX would be an appropriate stop-gap measure until a Sepulveda Corridor rapid transit line could be built. This very same bus route worked great for several decades (as the RTD 561) until the RTD morphed into the MTA and the 761 supplanted the 561 (and terminated all service south of Westwood). Ridership to LAX appeared excellent; my paranoid voices tell me this popular service must have been killed to encourage ridership on the (still five years in the future) Westwood-LAX FlyAway and/or in our many fine taxis, airport vans and limos.

[Dan W.]

"Two of the worst interchanges in the country are on the 405, yet all they are doing is adding carpool lanes. Imagine how many people would ride a train that paralleled the 405 and ran from LAX to the valley. "

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In my opinion, the project you described going NORTH from LAX up the westside to UCLA over into the Valley is the second most needed rail line after the completion of the Purple Line. Having a system that connects people where they want to go is what makes it user friendly. Each additional line improves the system exponentially rather than laterally because of the extra transfers and usage possibilities.

In the meantime, the MTA should extend the Metro Rapid 761 south, or institute a Super Rapid 961 which makes limited stops from LAX to Metrolink (Jefferson, Washington, Venice, Pico, Olympic, Santa Monica, Wilshire, UCLA, Getty, Mulholland, Sepulveda/Ventura, Van Nuys/Venutra, Orange Line and Van Nuys Metrolink). This will allow for multiple transfers to other Rapid and local bus lines. Connectivity is the key to usage.

It's not a substitute for the rail line you described that we need, but it is an improvement and can be implemented relatively quickly. In fact, I think I'll take that idea to next MTA Service Sector meeting.

[Dan W.]

"Sounds like a good idea, but I hope it can be satisfying enough for all of Los Angeles. Underground seems a bit dangerous since unlike NY, L.A. is bound to have an earthquake."

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Subways can be built earthquake safe. Remember, it was the San Francisco Bay Bridge which fell in the 1989 quake, not the BART/MUNI system. The safest place to be was in the BART tunnel which runs under the bay and after the quake carried all that commuter traffic that could no longer use the bridge.

[Anthony Fernandez]

All of these people who are lashing out against the subway have not come up with one better idea. All those who suggest buses are crazy. Would you put more planes at a crowded airport and expect that to be a solution?

Rail lines spur new development and get people moving. You don't want to live in an urban area, then move to Arizona. We are a thriving city, and right now we are stuck because our infrastructure is beyond the point of crumbling.

We need a full rail system proposal and we need to do it NOW. No more backing out, no more NIMBYs stopping the benefit of the entire region, no more bus-only nuts, and no more people who want freeway widening. It's time we get past our delusions and realize that Los Angeles is a real city that needs a real transportation solution.

[commuter]

are these the same people that built a system that didn't connect to an airport or stadium? Great...

[Roger]

Sounds like a good idea, but I hope it can be satisfying enough for all of Los Angeles. Underground seems a bit dangerous since unlike NY, L.A. is bound to have an earthquake.

[c-t-m]

Twenty years from now, Los Angelinos will be wondiering why the "subway to the sea" still isn't completeted, by Whilshire Boulevard has sunk a foot, why they are still paying the interest on a 5 billion construction bond that has grown to 20 billion, and still wondering exactly where the subway stops are and who takes it.

[Paul]

Ted: It's impossible to have a subway that benefits every single person in L.A. This project only helps people who are willing to help themselves. Want the benefits? Move to a place near the subway line and make your commute easier. Not willing to do that? Then that's your own fault.

This subway line won't improve traffic - nothing will ever improve it - but Los Angeles has a responsibility to provide an escape route for people willing to take it. For people like Ted, who expect the subway to be built from their front door right to their work without any effort on their part, they can just suffer in their car. This subway line is about giving a shorter commute to people intelligent enough to make it work. People like us deserve it.

[david]

I'm all for expansion of the subway, but when are they going to build something that is truely useful for the majority of the westside commuters. Two of the worst interchanges in the country are on the 405, yet all they are doing is adding carpool lanes. Imagine how many people would ride a train that paralleled the 405 and ran from LAX to the valley.

[emmaco]

So the same political hacks that fought this 20 years ago now are for it? The feedbag must have gone empty.

How about adding a stop at Dodger Stadium, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Century City, and perhaps (even though some might not see any reason for it) at LAX, John Wayne, Burbank, Long Beach, and Ontario airport terminals? Not a half mile outside like New York, but in the terminals like Heathrow or the Chicago CTA system.

Untill this is addressed I don't think anyone will take our state transportation planners or our politicians seriously. I know I don't.

[KavJack]

Sounds like a great idea. But how do I get to take that subway ride to the ocean with a full and aging bladder ?

[Dan W.]

"Although politically well-connected opposition to a Wilshire Subway bringing the poor along this vital route has thankfully died down, we still face tough battles against those who want to overcome gridlock on Wilshire by cramming in yet more buses and against those who believe the Golden Age of suburban mobility in an urban environment can return if we fight efficient regional mass transit and against those who unless they can ride this particular subway several times a day believe they have no stake in maintaining mobility along our region's demographic and economic spine."

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The greatest risk isn't from bus-only extremists. On this transportation corridor, they've already lost the argument.

However, the biggest opposition will be from motorists who are coming to realize that driving in Los Angeles will never be what it once was in the 60's, 70's, and 80's, and instead of rallying to build an alternative, will lash out at public transit out of self-centered anger because nothing can be done to preserve the quality of driving in their car-based lifesteyles. There are people who don't like change and pine for the Sam Yorty days of Los Angeles. To them the Purple Line is more than just a needed transit project. It's a symbol of where Los Angeles is evolving.

People who like living a surburban lifestyle in an urban environment, which was unique to Los Angeles, will be the most upset by Los Angeles' changes. They can 1) channel that energy into transportation alternatives, 2) move, or 3) stay and lash out at public transit in anger. My hope is that they do #1. If they do #2, that's unfortunate. If they do #3, that's what we need to overcome to build the rail.

[Dan W.]

"What a waste of money, another LA boondoggle on public trans"

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It's at least not as much a waste as expanding the 405 (yet again) to add another carpool lane, which just encourages more single-occupancy motoring.)

[Dan W.]

> Great. Now where do I park my car to get to the subway stop, again?

You can leave your car at home, or you can take a bus or other train to transfer to the Purple Line. Many people will park their cars at Metrolink stops and take the rail into Union Station, then the Purple Line to their jobs. Or you can sit your single-occupancy vehicle and rot in traffic. The choice is yours.

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(What exactly do people think this will achieve? Enlighten me.)

A greater transit system will preserve Los Angeles' economic and environmental sustainability. Densification is only continuing and the Purple Line will aid proper planning to ensure it doesn't sprawl and create even problems.

What this will achive is great numbers of people to get to/from downtown/westside without a car.

[richard schumacher]

Woo-hoo! The Subway to the Sea will be the most useful mass transit project in the US outside of NYC (the 2nd Avenue subway). 20 years from now Angelinos will wonder how they got along without it.

[Ted]

Great. Now where do I park my car to get to the subway stop, again?

(What exactly do people think this will achieve? Enlighten me.)

[Brian]

About time ... L.A. needs a better Metro system. The buses are fine ... but we need more rail lines. I can't wait!

[Keith]

What a waste of money, another LA boondoggle on public trans

[marc]

It is all wonderful... but why is it I don't mind using public transportation in germany but wouldn't dream of it in Los Angeles ?

Perhaps we simply have not built systems most people want to use... or perhaps there is so much riff raff in los angeles now that most people don't want to brave public transportation.

[lsm]

For even one day, let us celebrate this happy righting of a woeful wrong. Do we have to talk churlishly about a "long shot bid for a $5 billion 'Subway to the Sea.'?" Although politically well-connected opposition to a Wilshire Subway bringing the poor along this vital route has thankfully died down, we still face tough battles against those who want to overcome gridlock on Wilshire by cramming in yet more buses and against those who believe the Golden Age of suburban mobility in an urban environment can return if we fight efficient regional mass transit and against those who unless they can ride this particular subway several times a day believe they have no stake in maintaining mobility along our region's demographic and economic spine. But finishing the Purple Line to Santa Monica is not a "long shot." It is necessary infrastructure we must build to maintain regional economic viability and quality of life. The only "long shot" is whether we will have the foresight to find a way to build it before suffering too many more years of worsening pain or if we will continue to stew in gridlock until future generations can no longer avoid this inevitable fix.

[Paul]

At least get the Expo Line to Santa Monica, then spend the billions needed to finish off the subway.

"I'm all for an L.A. rail system that wil take people everywhere in town.
But I think it should be mostley above ground." -tom

I'm in total agreement. With SoCal's beautiful weather, a subway should be a last ditch effort.

[Aaron Trask]

This is good news. I was just driving my car down on the Miracle Mile yesterday and it was insane. The traffic that is. I went down a side-street and it was solid cars parked along the apartment buildings and homes.

I sincerely hope that we are all beginning to learn that we need to stop designing for cars and start designing our communities for people again. Subways help make this possible and dare I say Monorails. Funny thing is the Miracle Mile was designed for cars not for people and we used to think that was great. Now we know better.

[Scott Mercer]

Hosannah!

Now the "Subway to the Sea" can go to the top of the list in the upcoming MTA Long Range Plan. That's the next bureaucratic step forward. That should go through without any problems, barring any Bus Riders Union bothers.

Then comes the hard part: getting the bucks for it. Let's rally around, Angelenos, and get this money for this sorely needed project! It will help all Angelenos, yes, even you residents of the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley. The more people can use mass transit, the fewer people are on our freeways, and this will help all over the county. Note: it will not ELIMINATE traffic everywhere, but it will help diminish back-ups, with a ripple effect throughout the county. Yes, it costs a lot, but it's worth what it costs. It costs the same as a new freeway, and we can't possibly build any more freeways. This is our only option.

[tom]

I'm all for an L.A. rail system that wil take people everywhere in town.
But I think it should be mostley above ground.