Budget Crisis Prompts MTA to Shelve Dozens of Projects

Anticipating a severe funding shortfall over the next several years, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted Thursday to put $1.1 billion worth of projects on hold.

The funding for about 140 projects -- including improvements to freeway interchanges and construction of carpool lanes, the proposed Expo Line light-rail system and some freeway sound wall projects -- previously had been approved by the state Legislature as part of the traffic congestion relief program. But because of the state budget crisis, nearly 20% of the $5.8 billion in regional funding the MTA had expected will likely be rescinded by the state, according to the agency’s projections.

“These are draconian cuts,” said MTA director John Fasana.

Among the projects being delayed for at least two years are carpool lanes on 6.2 miles of the Antelope Valley Freeway between Pearblossom Highway and Avenue P-8 near Palmdale Airport. Design for the project is nearly complete and transportation managers had hoped to begin asking for construction bids this summer. Other projects could be delayed until 2009.

“Why is the MTA delaying construction?” asked Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who represents the Antelope Valley and sits on the MTA board. He pleaded unsuccessfully for the board to assign the $39-million carpool lane project a higher priority. “Here they are, all ready to go.”

The MTA staff found it difficult to decide to shelve the project, said James de la Loza, the agency’s director of planning.

MTA planners ranked each of their projects based on its state of readiness to proceed as well as how much it is expected to improve mobility. They recommended that any project that fell below a certain cutoff line be delayed to allow higher-priority projects to go forward. The Antelope Valley carpool lane project was the most “ready” of all that didn’t make the cut.

Projects billed as the MTA’s top priorities -- which planners hope will proceed as scheduled -- include the Eastside light-rail project, all freeway construction currently in progress and an east-west busway to be known as the San Fernando Valley Metro Rapidway.

Prospects for the delayed projects could change if the state’s budget situation improves. “We’re negotiating with the Legislature to get that money back,” said David Yale, the MTA’s director of regional transportation planning.