PALMDALE : Transit Panel OKs Road, Rail Funds

The California Transportation Commission approved funding Friday to upgrade and widen two roadways near Palmdale and to build stations for a commuter train line that will begin in October to link Ventura, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

The commission, meeting in Sacramento, approved $20.4 million for improvements to Pearblossom Highway near Palmdale from Avenue T to 90th Street. The highway carries more than 21,000 vehicles per day. Twenty-five traffic fatalities have occurred during the past five years on the road.

Also approved was $1 million for widening Palmdale Boulevard from four lanes to six between 10th Street West and 30th Street East in Palmdale, official said. The road is a chronically congested artery running through the heart of the city. In addition, the commission approved a total of $10.6 million to help fund construction of stations for the commuter line, called Metrolink, in Van Nuys, Baldwin Park, Glendale, Sylmar, Santa Clarita, Chatsworth, El Monte, Norwalk, Burbank and Covina.