Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
APRIL 19, 2017
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS SOLIS, GARCIA, DUPONT-WALKER and HAHN
Related to Item 5: I-710 South Corridor Project and LA River Bike Path
As a freight and goods movement corridor, the Interstate 710 is a significant contributor the national and regional economy. However, the I-710 cannot sustain increasing import/export activity at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and surrounding population growth in its current condition. The I-710 has become a major source of traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions with devastating impacts on the quality of life for communities along the corridor. The I-710 Corridor Project proposes to modernize the freeway to better accommodate goods and freight movement, ease congestion and improve air quality.
Although modernizing the freeway is critically important and widely supported, many local residents successfully advocated for a more holistic approach to ensure robust community benefits, especially in disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately affected by freeway impacts. That holistic approach was reflected in Motion 22.1 that was unanimously approved by the Metro Board in October of 2015.
In compliance with Motion 22.1, the project team has been exploring alternative mobility options such as enhancing existing bus and rail services, new express bus service, expanding the active transportation network, traffic demand management, complete streets improvements and much more. While many elements of Motion 22.1 require additional evaluation and study, some active transportation elements can be advanced into environmental evaluation and final design.
Title
APPROVE Motion by Directors Solis, Garcia, Dupont-Walker and Hahn that the Board direct the CEO to:
A. Based on preliminary designs, advance Item J of Motion 22.1 into environmental review independently from the I-710 Corridor Project;
Motion 22.1 - Item J: Upgrades to the existing Los Angeles River Bike Path consisting of safety, landscaping, hardscape, lighting and access enhancements and fix-it stations including to locations, between Ocean Blvd. [Long Beach] and its northern terminus at Slauson Avenue [Vernon];
B. Establish a budget to advance Items J and G of Motion 22.1 into final design once they are cleared environmentally;
Motion 22.1 - Item G: Construction of a new, 8-foot, Class-I bike path and access points within the Los Angeles Flood Control District right-of-way on the western levee of the Los Angeles River Channel from the Pacific Coast Highway [Long Beach] to Imperial Highway [South Gate] to connect with the existing Los Angeles River Bike Path;
C. Identify all eligible funding sources and develop a funding and project delivery strategy to accelerate implementation of Items J and G of Motion 22.1.
D. Evaluate opportunities to streamline the timelines of Item J and G of Motion 22.1 with the Rail-to-Rail/River Project, AB530 Working Group, and the LA River Gap Closure Project (Downtown LA to Vernon); and
E. Report back to the board within 90 days.