Local News in Brief : Robbins Drops Bill Against Rail System
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Unable to generate homeowner support, the chief sponsor of legislation to ban construction of a ground-level or elevated light-rail system in San Fernando Valley residential neighborhoods said Friday he is dropping the plan.
State Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Van Nuys) said that instead of pushing the legislation, he is asking business leaders to pledge to work for an extension of the downtown-to-North Hollywood Metro Rail subway westward across the Valley to Warner Center.
As originally proposed by Los Angeles County transit planners, a ground-level or elevated light-rail line would cross the Valley, connecting to Metro Rail in North Hollywood.
But every suggested route has run into heated opposition from homeowners who contend that a surface or elevated trolley would bring noise, visual blight and congestion.
Despite the opposition, a Citizens Advisory Panel on Transportation Solutions recommended that detailed studies be done on two light-rail routes--the Ventura Freeway route and along a Southern Pacific railroad freight right-of-way.
In response to the advisory committee’s report, Robbins and Los Angeles City Councilman Michael Woo on Aug. 10 announced introduction of legislation in Sacramento that would ban construction of an above-ground rail line.
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