Transportation and Traffic Relief

By Wendy Greuel

I intend to lead on transportation and traffic issues. Henry Waxman worked tirelessly to bring tax dollars to this district for ambitious projects to ease congestion and make daily travel easier on local families. I'm committed to carrying on that legacy by working to fund the practical solutions that will reduce traffic and create jobs and a more efficient economy while cutting emissions and improving the air we breathe.

Pass the Surface Transportation Bill and America Fast Forward

With the 405 Freeway as our main artery, our community is stuck in some of the most miserable traffic in the nation. While some of the problem is definitely local, a large share is regional and solving it means tapping into federal resources that will ease the financial burden and accelerate the pace of progress.

The federal surface transportation bill is set to expire in September. This includes the America Fast Forward program, which allows localities like LA County and its cities to leverage voter-approved local transportation sales taxes to make improvements sooner and for less money. We should not be content with the status quo in Washington, and I don't intend to settle for it. Congress should take this opportunity to extend and enhance this innovative federal financing program that was conceived right here in LA by adopting the America Fast Forward bond program and increasing federal investment that supports our economy and promotes long-term funding pathways for local infrastructure and traffic relief projects. Our communities depend on it.

Passing a new federal transportation bill will empower Southern California to pursue regional solutions uniquely suited to address regional problems. I'm going to fight for our fair share of those federal tax dollars. This includes a focus on supporting public/private partnerships to design, build and maintain new infrastructure that will relieve congestion.

Complete the Wilshire Subway

The Westside Subway Extension will give residents a critical alternative to car travel. Congressman Waxman was instrumental in bringing the extension forward. I will keep the pressure on to secure the funding needed to accelerate construction all the way to Westwood and beyond to Brentwood and Santa Monica. This project is currently planned to make it to the Veterans Hospital, but we need federal dollars to make that possible. Getting the line west of the 405 will significantly increase access and ridership.

Connect the Westside and the Valley

We also need to get federal funding for the I-405 transit project connecting the Westside and San Fernando Valley. This project currently is not planned for completion until 2029-2039. Inclusion of an expanded America Fast Forward program in the surface transportation bill, public-private partnerships, and increased direct federal investment can get this project started in the next couple of years.

Expand Signal Synchronization and Street Improvements

Easing the congestion in our region is about more than just the large-scale overhauls. We need to be doing the little things right too. That's why I'm going to fight for investments in proven solutions at the ground level - including signal synchronization technology that makes more efficient use of our existing roadways.

Improve Local Highways

I'm proud to support the Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project + a more than $1 billion construction project adding a carpool lane, rebuilding bridges, improving on and off ramps, and adding soundwalls. This is another example of transportation dollars both creating jobs and paving the way (literally) for traffic relief. We all know the 405 can be a nightmare, but this campaign represents a major leap forward for everyone that relies on it to get where they need to go.

Fight for Livable Neighborhoods

While continuing federal investment in transit and highways is critical, we also need to fight for pedestrian and bicycle improvements. It is critical we all have safe alternatives to driving, especially within our neighborhoods and connecting to the region's growing transit system, including the soon-to-be-completed Exposition Line into Santa Monica.

Create Local Jobs through Traffic Relief

In L.A. County, we have already taken aggressive steps to ensure we are moving in the right direction. Under Measure R, our regional investments in traffic relief and transit infrastructure are going to create 400,000 jobs. But more than that, they are going to help people get to work faster and improve the efficiency and competitiveness of our entire economy. That means less time in the car, on the bus or on the train, and more time spent at work and with family, and greater prosperity for all our communities.

I want to make sure that our transportation dollars are being used to create local jobs, hiring workers right here in L.A. County, where we still have a much higher than average unemployment rate. Right now we can't target local hiring if federal dollars are involved. That's one legislative change I'll push for in Congress + when local tax dollars are paying for a majority of a project, cities and counties should be able to use those dollars to create jobs for its residents.