Business Group Backs Transit Panel’s Plan

The Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. has voted to support a local transportation coalition’s design and finance recommendations for a proposed mass transit system across the Valley.

The business association, which supports a route along the Burbank-Chandler corridor, decided to back the recommendations put forth by the Valleywide Transportation Coalition after several meetings with the coalition, said Larry G. Gray, chairman of VICA’s transportation committee.

Coalition members--including homeowners’ groups, elected officials, college administrators and business associations--are pressing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to use creative financing to pay for the project.

Additionally, both groups want the proposed route to eventually extend to Warner Center and Canoga Park in the West Valley.

Gray said both groups are also calling for the rail system to remain below the surface under Chandler Boulevard in Van Nuys from Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Ethel Avenue. At other points along the route, he said, the rail line could either be elevated or below the surface to avoid potential traffic congestion--and possible collisions--at railroad crossings.

“These are details of the rail line project that we feel are very important,” Gray said. “We’re not trying to design the system for MTA; we’re saying [there] should be an open-minded flexibility in the design.”

VICA is a business advocacy organization that studies public policies affecting the business community. It reports to 450 member corporations and affiliates in the Valley.