Yonah Freemark assesses one of the nation's most important public transportation improvement projects, LA's long discussed Westside Subway project which is closer than ever to construction, but still a long ways off from completion.
Advertised for decades as the "Subway to the Sea" as its prospects grew and dimmed repeatedly over time, LA's currently proposed Westside Subway project will actually terminate in Westwood, more than three miles from the Ocean. With the project having reached a key milestone with the recent release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report by Metro, the region's transportation authority, Freemark takes the opportunity to appraise its significance and unanswered questions.
According to Freemark, the project is one of the most practical and urgently needed transit improvement projects in the country. "It would offer an alternative option for tens of thousands of daily riders and speed travel times by up to 50% compared to existing transit trips. It would serve one of the nation's densest and most jobs-rich urban corridors and in doing so take a major step forward towards making L.A. a place where getting around without a car is comfortable."
While the proposed line's impact will be substantial, with estimated travel time savings more than almost any other transit project in the country, questions remain about the project's timeline and station location. In the article, Freemark explores the reasons for the generally unacceptable 25-year project timeline and for serious questions about station location, specifically at its terminus in "a pedestrian-hostile environment" at the Westwood/V.A. Hospital.
FULL STORY: L.A.’s Westside Subway is Practically Ready for Construction, But Its Completion Could be 25 Years Off

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont