Wilshire bus lane update (with second update below)
The federal government publicly announced earlier this year that it would provide $21 million for bus lanes on parts of Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Since then, it's been pretty quiet out there. But now comes a city Department of Transportation update, which you can read on the city's website.
"After several months of unexpected delays at Metro, the consultant team is now on board to start the environmental assessment process," states the report. "... If the Project is environmentally cleared by June 30, 2009, then staff can proceed with engineering and construction activities in FY 2009-10, with a target completion date of June 30, 2011, for the Project."
And this little kernel: The city doesn't have the federal money yet, basically because it hasn't done the paperwork and still needs to complete environmental studies of the project.
Of course, the two-page report conveniently overlooks the fact that the city's DOT, under its previous chief, also dragged its heels doing initial studies of the project. As for the project, it proposes to make the right-hand lane into a bus-only lane during rush hour, although cars can use the lane to turn right. The project involves some street widening and also requires that the lane be repaved and reinforced to accommodate the heavy buses.
The Bus Riders Union, by the way, has become frustrated enough over the length of time to build the project that it was out on Wilshire this morning doing some street theater aimed at Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, who chairs the City Council's transportation committee. The mini-play is called "Wendy Greuel's Dilemma," the intent being to criticize Greuel for backing measures the BRU says will help motorists in the city but not necessarily transit riders. A news release from the BRU after the jump.
UPDATE, 4:15 p.m.: Greuel has responded to the BRU with the following written statement:
"The Bus Riders Union street theater action this morning is just that, pure theater. Their claims are dishonest and misrepresent my position. There is no other Councilmember more supportive of the Wilshire bus-only lanes than I am. My staff and I have spent hundreds of hours working with MTA and other stakeholders, including the Bus Riders Union, on this project. This goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished. The City's Transportation Committee will be discussing the issue in tomorrow's meeting so that we can move the project along. The MTA originally planned on beginning this project years from now. We have worked tirelessly to expedite the construction by securing a $20M Federal grant so that we can start construction next year."
