MTA Board Approves 73 Area Projects

First, the good news: Gridlocked drivers, Metrolink converts and bicyclists will benefit from several transportation projects that were approved by county officials Thursday.

Now, the not-so-happy news: They’ll have to be patient. These $179.7-million worth of projects still need approval from several agencies, a process expected to take until mid-2001.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority selected 73 projects out of 240 proposals that it had reviewed, recommending improvements that would benefit communities from Palmdale to Catalina Island.

Funding would come from Gov. Gray Davis’ statewide $1-billion traffic initiative. MTA officials say the governor’s allocation was a welcome supplement to its funding.

“It is a big chunk of change,” MTA spokesman Gary Wosk said. “Hopefully, it will make a difference in people’s lives. This is all money we had not anticipated. It jump-starts a lot of important transportation projects in Los Angeles County.”

The projects include:

* Funding of $14.6 million for modifications to the Golden State Freeway and Western Avenue interchange in Glendale. The total project cost is $34.5 million and also includes extending the Flower Street northbound offramp, and extending Air Way north to the Western Avenue northbound onramp. These improvements will help direct access to and from the freeway and reduce truck traffic through the Western and Flower intersection.

* A proposed North Hollywood automated traffic surveillance and control system that will use technology to adjust signals to changing traffic conditions.

Only a handful of such systems exist in the city, said Shahrzad Amiri, an MTA project manager. This project will cover 102 intersections in an area bounded by Roscoe Boulevard and Tuxford Street, the city of Burbank, and Victory and Van Nuys boulevards.

The MTA approved $8.1 million for the system. Total project cost is $10.1 million.

* Railroad improvements to Metrolink’s Antelope Valley line, including sidings, alignments and signals. The upgrades would increase capacity and reduce travel time for both commuter and freight service.

The MTA approved $2.3 million for the $10.7-million project.

* Four bike path projects, including one in Lancaster and one in Pacoima.

The MTA allocated $1.2 million to help purchase and build a 3.5-mile path parallel to Sierra Highway--from Avenue M north to Lancaster Boulevard--in Lancaster. Total cost for this segment is $1.9 million. It will be one of the first sections of an eventual 13-mile bikeway.

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In Pacoima, $2 million was approved for a north-south, 2.75-mile bike path adjacent to San Fernando Road. The segment, which will cost $2.6 million, is from 1st to Branford streets, and will be part of a 12-mile bike path that has been partially built and funded, said Lynne Goldsmith, who oversees bikeways for the MTA.

On Thursday, one request was withdrawn, a motion from MTA board member and Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson, who sought $200,000 to buy a shuttle bus that would link the Chatsworth industrial park, the Warner Center in Woodland Hills and the Metrolink station in Chatsworth.

Board member Gloria Molina had raised concerns that the new service would reduce service in another area.

As an alternative, Bernson will ask the city transportation department to lease a shuttle bus--identical to DASH buses--to provide service, said Francine Oschin, Bernson’s transit deputy.

The MTA’s list next goes to the Southern California Assn. of Governments, then in September to the California Transportation Commission, and by mid-2001 to federal transit officials for approvals.

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Local Transportation Projects

These are among the projects recommended for funding Thursday by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. They are still subject to approval by local, state and federal agencies.

* Golden Valley Road/Soledad Canyon Road interchange, Santa Clarita

Funding: $8.5 million (Total project cost: $25.5 million)

Acquires right of way for a separate interchange for Golden Valley Road crossing over existing Soledad Canyon Road, Metrolink tracks and Golden Triangle Road. This interchange would separate two major Santa Clarita Valley routes and reduce congestion.

* Widening of Avenue G, Lancaster

Funding: $4.6 million (Total project cost: $7.4 million)

Widens Avenue G from two to six lanes, adds a center median, left-turn pockets, adds signals to major intersections and other road improvements from 50th Street West to 25th Street West. It’s intended to help accommodate industrial development and new jobs in the Fox Field Industrial corridor and at Fox Field airport.

* New westbound onramp for Ventura Freeway at Hollywood Way, Burbank

Funding: $6.2 million (Total project cost: $18.3 million)

A new westbound onramp at Hollywood Way to accommodate projected traffic growth from the Burbank Media District and Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport.

* Additional parking at Newhall Metrolink station

Funding: $1.4 million (Total project cost: $2.1 million)

Acquires more property for parking. The existing lots are at capacity.

* Palmdale transportation center

Funding: $2.9 million (Total project cost: $4.1 million)

Assists with second phase of center now under construction. Center serves as hub for Metrolink, bus, vanpool and other services.

* Metrolink railroad improvements to Antelope Valley line

Funding: $2.3 million (Total project cost: $10.7 million)

This series of upgrades to sidings, alignments and signals would increase capacity and reduce travel time for both commuter and freight service.

* Santa Clarita regional transit center

Funding: $1 million (Total project cost: $3.1 million)

Transit center would be built in Valencia Town Center and serve as a hub for 10 transit routes.

Source: MTA