Public Review Process to Begin on LA Metro’s Draft Expenditure Plan

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will hold a series of community meetings in April to inform and share with the public the draft expenditure plan that could become part of a possible ballot measure in November.

The plan is based on public input and outlines $120 billion in transit and highway projects and a host of other improvements: nearly 40 major projects in 40 years, all across the county. In addition to new transit and highway projects, the draft plan includes commuter rail; transit operations and projects to keep buses, trains and facilities in good repair; pedestrian and cycling connections and funding to support affordable fares for students, seniors and the disabled. It would also return revenues to local cities on a per capita basis - money those cities could then spend on their own local transportation improvements.

The public is invited to attend one of 10 community meetings April 5, 2016 through April 30, 2016 and share their thoughts and contribute to L.A. County’s future transportation plan. The schedule for the upcoming meetings follows:

• Tuesday, April 5, 2016 (6-8 p.m.) Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center, 29900 Ladyface Circle, Agoura Hills

• Thursday, April 7, 2016 (6-8p .m.) Grace T. Black Auditorium, 3130 Tyler Avenue, El Monte

• Monday, April 11, 2016 (6-8 p.m.) Marvin Braude Constitution Service Center, 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Los Angeles

• Thursday, April 14, 2016 (6-8 p.m.) Carson Community Center, Room C, 801 East Carson Street, Carson

• Tuesday, April 19, 2016 (6-8 p.m.) Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale

• Thursday, April 21, 2016 (6-8 p.m.) Plummer Park Community Center, 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood

• Saturday, April 23, 2016 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) Metro Headquarters, Board Room, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles

• Tuesday, April 26, 2016 (6-8 p.m.) Gateway Cities Council of Governments, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 16401 Paramount Boulevard, Paramount

• Thursday, April 28 2016, (6-8 p.m.) Rita Walters Learning Complex Auditorium, 915 West Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles

• Saturday, April 30, 2016 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) Virtual/Online Community Meeting. To attend, the public can log in at metro.net/theplan.

The potential ballot measure under consideration would ask voters to increase the countywide sales tax by a half cent for 40 years and to continue the existing Measure R tax for an additional 18 years, both of which would run through 2057. In addition to a 40-year plan, staff also provided the Board with 45- and 50-year scenarios. The Metro Board of Directors has final say on the spending plan and is scheduled to decide in June whether to put a ballot measure before the voters.

The foundation of the plan includes a host of transportation improvement projects submitted by stakeholders across the county. Metro staff has been at work over the last few months evaluating those projects against key performance metrics for how well the projects will ease congestion and enhance mobility, provide better access, improve safety, grow the economy and enhance quality of life.   

The full expenditure plan is available for public review at www.metro.net/theplan. The public is encouraged to take a look at the plan, realizing that it is a working draft document and subject to change, as the process goes forward. The public will be able to provide input through a variety of ways, including public meetings, telephone town hall meetings or online. Public input will be compiled and shared with Board members as they contemplate a final expenditure plan and decide at their June meeting whether to put the measure on the November ballot.