Four Bus-Only Lanes Under Consideration Around Los Angeles

"A staff report to the Metro [Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority] Board's Operations Committee unveils four corridors where the agency could implement a pilot bus-only lane before the end of 2019, reports Steven Sharp.

"The shortlist, which was pared down from 25 candidates, was determined based on criteria that include current severity of delay, corridor ridership, and constructability," adds Sharp.

Making the list are Van Nuys Boulevard (the busiest north-south transit corridor in the San Fernando Valley), Florence Avenue (one of the busiest east-west corridors in the entire county), Olympic Boulevard, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The Van Nuys Boulevard route sparked initial controversy, since the route is already being planned for a light rail route.

According to Sharp, "the inclusion of Van Nuys Boulevard came as a surprise to L.A. City Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Nury Martinez, who represent the neighborhoods surrounding the corridor. In a motion introduced earlier this week in the City Council, Rodriguez and Martinez argue that 'exploring this pilot project sends a conflicting message' to the community, as the bus lanes would need to be removed upon construction of the forthcoming light rail line."

Sharp provides details on each of the proposed projects.