Southern California Planners Predict $100 Billion In Transportation Needs
With the population expected to surge to 60 million by 2050, most agree that the region needs major investment, though the sources of funding remain unclear.
"Building the roads and transportation infrastructure needed to accommodate Southern California's surging population could cost more than $100 billion, according to planners, leaving the region's taxpayers with a tough choice ahead.
Local transportation agencies said the Southland's freeways and mass transit need drastic changes to accommodate what state officials project as a 60% increase in the region's population by 2050.
That would probably include adding upper decks to some Los Angeles County freeways, new rail lines and building freeways or toll roads in places like the Antelope Valley, Orange County and Riverside County."
"In November, California voters approved a $19.9-billion transportation bond measure, hailed as a major milestone.
But the planning studies put the bill for keeping congestion in check at $140 billion in the next 30 years for six Southern California counties."
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this page
Related News Stories
Freeway Expansion Leads to Increased Traffic - Jun 24, 2008
A Congestion Pricing Plan For America's Most Famous Bridge - May 11, 2008
California Bullet Train Heading to Ballot - Apr 14, 2008
If You Prevent It, They Won't Do It - Mar 05, 2008
Uproar Over Bond Funds Benefiting Railroads - Feb 18, 2008
Building new
upper decks? We got rid of those in the Bay Area over ten years ago. Have regional planners in SoCal even thought of the seismic issues pertaining to double-deck highways?
Also, I can guarantee MOST of the $100 billion in transportation funding would only go to freeway/tollroad/highway construction.
Souther California is (and will always be) auto-dependent, no matter how many new TODs they build in Pasadena or Long Beach...