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Council Meeting. January 13, 1998
JAN f 3 1998
Santa MOnica, California
TO
Mayor and CIty CounCil
FROM
City Staff
SUBJECT RecommendatIon to Support Development of EXposition Blvd Right-of-Way
for Transltway Use
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution which
supports the use of EXpOSition rail right-of-way as a transltway extending from downtown
Los Angeles to Santa MOnica.
Backaround
The EXPOSition Blvd. rail right-of-way was purchased by the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan TransportatIon Authonty (MTA) in 1990. along With several other rail
properties for future public transportation development. The Exposition Blvd. alignment
extends approximately 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles to OlympiC Blvd and 17th
Street In Santa Monica
In 1992, an MTA study concluded that the alignment should receive further conSideration
as a pOSSible light rail or electnfied bus corridor, however, continued study was suspended
when the MT A was unable to Identify funding for additional ratl projects Within the last
several months, the MTA has suspended all of ItS planned rail projects, due to lack of
suffICient resources to continue the program.
,-0
Currently, the MTA IS looking for more affordable alternatives for Increasing transit system
capacity, In lieu of rail Three corridors including the ExpOSition Blvd nght-of-way, are
under consideration by the MTA for use as transltways intended to operate exclUSively
uSing buses The feasibility study WIll determine the potential for each corndor to Improve
transit service capacity and ndershlp, given the respective urban deSign, mobility,
community and cost concerns for each alignment The feaSibility study's preliminary
findings are expected to be presented In January 1998 The final report IS scheduled for
completion In March
Budgetaryl Fmanclallmpact
There IS no budgetary impact related to the adoption of thiS resolution. The feaSibility
study IS already funded by the MT A Future project funding Will be determined by the MT A
Board based on the outcome of the feaSibility study
Recommendation
Staff recommends City CounCil support the use of the ExpOSition Blvd COrridor as an
exclusive busway through adoption of the attached resolution. ThiS action Will allow the
City to establish a more proactive role In respondmg to Issues related to the study which
may effect Santa MoniCa.
Attachment
Prepared by'
John B. Catoe, Jr , Director of Transportation
Stephanie Griffin, Manager of TranSit Development
Kate Vernez, Senior Management Analyst
f \atty\mum\laws\mjm\expo res
CIty Council Meeting 1-13-97
Santa Momca, Callforma
RESOLUTION NUMBER 9230
(CIty Council Senes)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE EXPOSITION BOULEVARD RAil RIGHT-Of-WAY
AS A TRANSITWAY EXTENDING INTO SANTA MONICA
WHEREAS, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation AuthOrity ("MTA")
IS responsIble for the development of exclusive mass transit gUideway systems Within Los
Angeles County, and
WHEREAS, the MT A has purchased the ExposItion Boulevard rail nght-of-way With
the Intent of developIng transit Improvements on the alignment, and
WHEREAS, the EXposItIon Boulevard transltway has been IdentIfied In the Southern
CalifornIa AsSocIation of Government's Draft RegIonal Transportation Plan as a potentIal
strategy to meet and enhance regIonal transportatIon needs through the year 2020, and
WHEREAS, the ExposItion Boulevard nght-of-way extends from downtown Los
Angeles to 17th Street Within the City limits of the City of Santa Monica,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS
SECTION 1 The CIty supports the study of the EXposition nght-of-way as a
transltway operated exclUSively With the use of buses
1