Alternate Routes

While your recent article featuring transportation improvements for Southern California included discussion of proposed routes and funding sources, you failed to include the most cost-effective transit option available: Monorail.

This past June, San Fernando Valley voters selected a monorail system down the Ventura Freeway corridor as their transportation system of choice. Given the opportunity to choose between four transit alternatives, Valley residents overwhelmingly supported a monorail system with 47.46% of the vote, compared to 10.06% supporting the Metro Rail subway system, or the at-grade light-rail system which received 21.36% of the vote.

An aesthetically pleasing monorail system can be built in 48 months utilizing existing rights of way. Currently under discussion with Caltrans is the use of over-freeway air space for stations and parking facilities. This would alleviate the destruction of property associated with other proposed transit systems.

A monorail system would help relieve traffic congestions and air pollution without the cost overruns, delays, and hazards now accepted as commonplace with regard to the Metro Rail. The first 4.4-mile leg of Metro Rail is costing about $284 million per mile, in comparison to an estimated construction cost of $50 million-per-mile for the monorail system proposed for the 16.5-mile Valley route.

Residents of the San Fernando Valley who will be affected most by the transit system clearly advised the Los Angeles Transit Commission and elected officials that a commitment to a monorail system is the appropriate response to the transportation dilemma facing Valley commuters.

MIKE ANTONOVICH

Los Angeles

Antonovich is a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.