Traffic

By Tom King

Traffic is always the number one concern of residents of Walnut, and in communities throughout Southern California. Distances are measured in time, not mileage.

I am pleased to have negotiated the final agreement to the construction of the railroad quiet zone along Valley Boulevard. In just a few months train horns will stop sounding from Fairway Drive to the Lanterman Hospital. This project will come at no cost to Walnut Residents.

Meadowpass Road begins construction in September to improve police and fire response times. Faster response time means lower insurance costs to residents. This long delayed project will conform to the General Plan, and alleviate traffic on smaller streets and improve public safety. It will also carefully preserve the local, rural feel of the community.

Since the 34 members of the San Gabriel Valley have elected me as president, we have for the first time received our fair share of transportation dollars in this region. New carpool lanes are under construction, and the dangerous 605 freeway interchanges are being rebuilt for safer access. The Gold Line is moving east, eventually linking with Ontario Airport. The Long Beach Freeway is moving forward for the first time in 40 years, improving commuter times for all San Gabriel Valley residents.

As a Board Member of the Alameda Corridor East Construction Authority, rail crossings are being made safer by lowering or raising rail lines, to elimnate crossing gates and increase safety for motorists and trains. This 1.4 billion dollar project is considered the premier construction authority in the nation, on time and on budget.

As your Mayor, I am committed to dealing with transportation issues on a local and regional basis to keep our community the best in California. This designation was given to Walnut by CNN Money Magazine, and it is something we can all be proud of.