LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Inquiry Into Metro Rail Finances, Safety Urged

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday asked the county Transportation Commission to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement and lax safety precautions on Metro Rail projects.

Last week, four whistle-blowers called for a federal investigation into alleged problems, which they said ranged from the use of defective concrete in Metro Red Line tunnels to unauthorized spending by LACTC staff.

Those claims and others would be included among the items examined in upcoming LACTC management and performance audits if the agency agrees to the council’s request.

Ed McSpedon, president of the Rail Construction Corp., the LACTC’s construction arm, said tests show that the concrete used in Metro Rail stations and tunnels exceeds required safety standards.