Villaraigosa Wants to Slash Mass Transit Construction Times by a Third

The mayor scored a round one victory last year when voters approved Measure R

By SCOTT WEBER

Updated 2:13 PM PST, Fri, Oct 30, 2009

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants to put several rail projects on the fast track. Villaraigosa plans to reveal an ambitious mass transit plan that would complete several high-profile rail projects within the next decade despite many experts who say it will take at least 30 years.

“Yes this is a stretch-goal, yes this is going to be tough, but I think by now folks shouldn’t count me out,” Villaraigosa told the LA Times in an interview.

The mayor scored a round one victory last year when voters approved Measure R, allotting $5.2 billion in funding to rail projects that include:

A subway to the Westside
Extension of the Gold Line in the San Gabriel Valley
Extension of the Expo Line to Santa Monica
New rail lines down Crenshaw Boulevard and through downtown L.A.

The fight though, is not over. In order to complete the projects in ten years, the Mayor's office has said the county needs another $10 billion in funds either from the private sector, federal government, or other public funding.

MTA officials told the Times they think the 10 year goal is realistic, considering construction costs are relatively low.

Villaraigosa believes the Westside subway should come first despite the fact it's the most expensive with a price tag of nearly $6 billion. He says the city can't wait 30 years, transportation improvements must come sooner.

“The projects are going to happen, there’s no question about that, and I’m going to be very aggressive at getting federal funds.... My goal is to make it happen sooner rather than later,” Villaraigosa told the Times. “I recognize that it’s a daunting task, but I love the challenge and I’m up for it.”