SR-400-001-01-01
Council Meeting: January 11, 2005 Santa Monica, CA
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Adoption of a resolution in support of Westside Council of Governments
Advocacy Position on Mobility Improvements for Exposition Light Rail to
Culver City and Santa Monica and Planning for the Red Line Extension to
Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and West Los Angeles.
Introduction
This report recommends Council adopt a resolution in support of the Westside Cities
Council of Governments (COG) position on improving mobility on the Westside
including building the Exposition Light Rail line to Santa Monica and planning efforts to
ensure “project readiness” to fund a Metro Red Line extension to West Hollywood,
Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles after Exposition is funded to Santa Monica.
Background
The Westside Cities developed a Westside Mobility Plan which included practical short
term and longer term transportation solutions to address Westside congestion. Major
regional transportation improvements are warranted on the Westside by levels of
congestion, employment generation, economic contribution and inequity in past regional
investments on the Westside compared to other subregions in the County. The Santa
Monica City Council acted to conceptually approve the plan December 9, 2003.
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Over the past year, the Westside cities have met as a COG in formation to strengthen
advocacy efforts among the cities and outside agencies in order to implement the plan
and formed a policy subcommittee on transportation.
Since adoption of the plan progress has been made in key areas. 1) In regard to the
Exposition Light Rail, the final environmental documentation for the Exposition Light Rail
Transit line, Phase 1, to Venice/Robertson in Culver City, is currently circulating for
comment prior to adoption by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) board.
Once adopted, the MTA will issue a design-build contract for this segment, which was
made possible by a funding plan. The Exposition construction authority authorized by
state legislation in 2003 will help expedite construction. The Westside cities secured a
SCAG grant to integrate circulation improvements and access for pedestrians, bicycles,
transit and autos at the Venice/Robertson first phase terminus. 2) CalTrans and the
cities are developing options to improve circulation around the I-10 freeway interchange
at Robertson and Venice. 3) The cities are working on the implementation of additional
rapid bus corridors on the Westside. 4) The cities submitted a grant application to
conduct outreach for possible extension of the Red Line through West Hollywood as a
very preliminary step for a future rail project.
Discussion
A COG structure enhances access to funding from regional, state and federal sources
because prioritized projects are region serving.
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Construction of light rail phase one to Venice/Robertson by 2010 is a significant
advancement towards getting the line to the end point in Santa Monica. The temporary
terminus at Venice/Robertson is currently planned at grade as the light rail crosses
National and Washington Boulevard. However, when the project continues to Santa
Monica the MTA’s adopted Grade Crossing Policy for Light Rail Transit states that “a
Venice grade separation would need to include the Washington and National crossings,
since there is not enough distance available between Venice and Washington for a
complete transition to an at grade alignment”. Culver City has advocated that building
an interim terminus station at grade is not the best way to spend limited resources
considering that when Phase 2 to Santa Monica is built, grade separation will be
required. COG members and City staff believe that money saved in total construction
costs by building the project in the most efficient manner could support planning efforts
for Phase two and completion of the line.
West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles are advocating that the MTA Board
include a Red line extension to the Westside in the next update to the Long Range
Transportation plan after completion of Exposition light rail.
Similar resolutions are being passed by all Westside cities and will be used in lobbying.
This advocacy is in addition to ongoing lobbying to secure funding for Exposition phase
two all the way to Santa Monica.
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Budget Impact
Existing staff is working on all COG efforts and on the Exposition Light Rail project so
there is no additional budget authority required for continued advocacy.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution in support of
the Westside Cities COG efforts on mobility.
Attachment: See Adopted Resolution No. 10013 (CCS).
Prepared by: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager for Government Relations
Ellen Gelbard, Assistant Director, Planning and Community Development
Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services, Big Blue Bus
Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning and Community Development
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