Congestion Pricing in Los Angeles?

The city of Los Angeles is looking for ways to close a $26.2 billion funding gap for its plan to complete 28 transportation projects by the 2028 Summer Olympics.

1 minute read

December 10, 2018, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Gold Line alongside 210 Freeway

Frederick Dennstedt / Flickr

"Charging tolls on Los Angeles freeways during times of highest use and taxing Uber and Lyft rides are two new sources of revenue being considered by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority," reports Steve Scauzillo.

The very preliminary proposal for congestion pricing "would charge for use of all lanes on freeways entering inner city core areas of Los Angeles, such as the 101, 5, 10 and 60 freeways during rush hours, while keeping the freeways free during off-peak hours."

Scauzillo also repeats some of Washington's arguments in support of the idea, like the precedent for congestion as a congestion reduction tool in cities like London, Stockholm, Singapore, and Milan.

A separate article by Elijah Chiland details some of the reactions of Los Angeles political leaders to the notion of congestion pricing. Chiland also previewed the report before the public presentation.

Congestion pricing would raise $1.2 billion a year. A tax on transportation network companies, also under discussion, would raise between $25 million to $350 million a year. That leaves the city still scrambling to cover the rest of the funding gap to build all of the projects on the "Twenty-eight by 28" list.

Thursday, December 6, 2018 in Los Angeles Daily News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

View from hilltop residential neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles, California on a cloudy day.

LA Falling Behind on Housing Goals

Last year, the city permitted just 30 percent of the number of housing units needed to meet a growing need.

May 27 - LAist

Canada geese and ducks on the shore of a lake with red brick boathouse in background across the lake in Lincoln Park, Los Angeles.

Connecting Communities to Nature Close to Home

Los Angeles County’s Nature in Your Neighborhood program brings free, family-friendly wellness and nature activities to local parks, making it easier for residents to enjoy and connect with the outdoors.

May 27 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Children inside large slide at water park.

Palmdale’s Beloved Water Park Gets $2 Million Upgrade

To mark its 20th anniversary, DryTown Water Park has undergone major renovations, ensuring that families across the Antelope Valley continue to enjoy safe, affordable, and much-needed water-based recreation in the high desert.

May 27 - Antelope Valley Press

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.