The available funding could shift transportation priorities in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley. But transportation leaders appear to be leaning toward more of the same.
The decision to kill plans to close the Interstate 710 gap left $400 million on the table to fund other transportation projects. With a steady stream of dire warnings about climate change, Carter Rubin says this is a major opportunity to change the course of the San Gabriel Valley's environmental future. The cities that would have been affected by the 710 project are located there, and these communities still face threats from the effects of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rubin wants to see the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority make investments in sustainable transportation, but he says Metro's board of directors is not heading in that direction. Instead, it is considering a package of road projects, including plans to widen a number of roads, despite the fact that cities in the San Gabriel Valley asked for funding for public transit improvements.
He says these projects were developed with little input from these communities. "It’s time for Metro Directors to send this back to the drawing board, generate a true public process centered in the values of community health, equity and sustainability, and produce a list of projects that reduce vehicle emissions, improve mobility for those who need it most, and ensure the residents of the San Gabriel Valley can finally breathe clean air," urges Rubin.
FULL STORY: Metro’s $400 Million Roads Plan Is an Act of Climate Change Denial
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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