Transit Officials Release $75 Million in Prop. C Funds

After a series of legal challenges, Los Angeles County transit officials Monday released $75 million to cities for an array of projects, including expanded rail, bus and road maintenance services.

The funds were collected under Proposition C, the half-cent sales tax surcharge approved by Los Angeles County voters in 1990, but placed in an escrow account pending the outcome of legal challenges brought by the measure’s opponents.

In May, the state Supreme Court rejected the final challenge, clearing the way for the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission to distribute the funds--which represent 20% of the $375 million collected since April 1, 1991. The remaining funds are earmarked for expanding the rail system and bus fleet countywide, constructing park-and-ride lots, and improving traffic signal synchronization, among other projects.

At a City Hall news conference attended by transit authorities and local officials, Mayor Tom Bradley said: “Given today’s economic conditions, this money will help create jobs, and make long-awaited improvements.

“Los Angeles will get $30 million of this $75-million pot,” Bradley said, “and as we spend it, we can all cheer the effective use of funds made available by the will of the people.”

Proposition C is more flexible than the county’s first half-cent surcharge--passed in 1980 as Proposition A--which has largely been limited to building the Metro Blue Line and starting the Red Line subway, said Judith Wright, president of the League of Cities.

Claremont, Pomona, Covina, Baldwin Park and El Monte intend to use some of their Proposition C funds to build Metrolink stations for a commuter train scheduled to begin operation in October, she said.

Glendale and Burbank plan to pay for an engineering and design study of a proposed light-rail system linking their cities with Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, a portion may be used to construct Metro subway lines and car-pool lanes on freeways, and to extend bus service.