Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JANUARY 14, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: MEASURE R MULTIMODAL HIGHWAY SUBREGIONAL PROGRAMS - SEMI-ANNUAL UPDATE
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING $59,296,086 in additional programming within the capacity of Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Programs, along with funding changes via the updated project list shown in Attachment A. Projects within this Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Program include improvements related to traffic signal, pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and roadways;
B. APPROVING the deobligation of $3,371,977 in previously approved Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Program funds to re-allocate said funds to other existing Board-approved Measure R Projects or return remaining funds to the Measure R subregional fund balance, as shown in Attachment A; and
C. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or their designee to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements for Board-approved Projects.
Issue
ISSUE
The Measure R Multimodal Subregional Programs Semi-Annual Update reports on revised subregional project priorities and budgets that require modification. This update also includes requests from implementing agencies to program more funds, reprogram funds, deobligate funds, and revise schedules, scopes and/or funding allocations for existing projects. These changes are reflected in Attachment A.
Board approval of the project information and updated list in Attachment A is required as it serves as the basis for Metro to enter into agreements with respective implementing agencies to initiate or continue the project development process.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Measure R Expenditure Plan allocates funding to projects under the multimodal highway operational improvement subfund program, as listed in Attachment A. Metro staff works closely with the local jurisdictions and subregions to review the project eligibility of the proposed projects for this update. When staffing capacity at the local level is limited or at the request of local jurisdictions and subregions, staff will also lead or assist in developing the environmental and design phases of the projects within the subfund program.
Additionally, Metro staff manage grants for the Arroyo Verdugo, Gateway Cities, North Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Valley, and South Bay Cities subregions that fund transportation improvements that have been developed and prioritized locally.
Local jurisdictions and subregions are responsible for prioritizing and developing projects that meet the eligibility criteria for the Measure R Program. In June 2021, the Board approved the Metro Highway Modernization Program <https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2021-0291/>, which expanded funding eligibility for active transportation and complete streets projects within Measure R and Measure M guidelines. In addition, in June 2022, the Board approved the Metro Objectives for Multimodal Highway Investment <https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2022-0302/>, which guides how Metro invests in highway systems that support the broader vision of mobility, sustainability, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life. To implement these policies, along with Metro’s Complete Streets Policy, Active Transportation Strategic Plan, and First/Last Mile Strategic Plan, staff encourage cities, subregions, and grant recipients to integrate eligible multi-modal elements at the discretion of the project sponsor. Projects are also further evaluated by Metro staff, to ensure the projects meet program guidelines and eligibility requirements.
To date, a total of 352 projects have received Measure R Subregional Highway funding of $1.85 billion. Out of that amount, $908.2 million has been expended by the subregions. Currently, 102 projects have been completed, totaling $209.2 million. Projects that have deobligated funds will be closed out, reallocated to another locally prioritized project, or will be returned to the Measure R subregional fund balance. This funding supports a wide range of multimodal improvements, including traffic signal upgrades, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit supportive elements, and roadway operational enhancements throughout Los Angeles County. These initiatives align with Metro’s mission to implement multimodal improvements that address the region’s mobility needs while promoting safety, sustainability, environmental friendliness, and equitable transportation investments. In addition, each project involves a collaborative effort that includes coordination among multiple departments and jurisdictions during the early phases of implementation, whenever feasible and appropriate.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
In this specific update, 11 projects are reporting completion. The Measure R Expenditure Plan does not specifically identify individual multimodal highway capital projects; rather, local jurisdictions within the subregions identify candidate projects for Metro staff review. Metro staff assessed the eligibility of these projects, reconfirmed funding eligibility for any requested scope changes, and ensured that each project aligns with the eligibility criteria. The modifications to the Measure R Multimodal Subregional Program are described below and summarized in Attachment A.
South Bay Cities: I-405, I-110, I-105 & SR-91 Improvements
To date, a total of $454.3 million has been programmed for 84 projects in the South Bay Cities subregion, of which $181.4 million (or 40%) has been spent. Currently, there are 54 active projects at various stages of development, with 30 projects completed. This update includes funding adjustments (programming additional funds or deobligating funds) for five existing projects described below.
Gardena
Deobligate $91,783.93 for MR312.79 - Traffic Signal Installation for the Vermont Avenue and Magnolia Avenue Project for a revised budget of $52,216.07 covering the design work to date. This Project was in the PS&E phase; however, partner agencies, including the City of Los Angeles and the Union Pacific Railroad Company, were unable to come to an agreement on fundamental project elements such as right-of-way, signal timing, liability, and operational issues. As a result, there is no viable path forward, and the City has requested that the funds for the Project be deobligated. This Board action supersedes a previous action made in June 2025 due to a recently identified accounting error with the deobligation amount.
Hawthorne
MR312.66 - Imperial Avenue Signal Improvements and Intersection Capacity Project.
The entry in Attachment A, which previously included PS&E and construction, will now include the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED) and Right of Way (ROW) to reflect all Project phases. The Project will likely increase Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
MR312.67 - Rosecrans Avenue Signal Improvements and Intersection Capacity Enhancements. The entry in Attachment A, which previously included PS&E and construction, will now include the PA&ED and ROW to reflect all Project phases. The Project will likely increase VMT.
MR312.68 - El Segundo Boulevard Improvements Project Phase I. Attachment A, which previously included PA&ED and construction, will now include PS&E and ROW to reflect all Project phases. The Project will likely increase VMT.
Manhattan Beach
Deobligate $18,531 for MR312.04 - Sepulveda Boulevard at Marine Avenue Intersection Improvements for a revised budget of $346,469. The Project is complete.
Gateway Cities I-605 Corridor “Hot Spots” Interchange Improvements
To date, a total of $424.9 million has been programmed for 78 projects in the Gateway Cities subregion, of which $241.3 million (or 57%) has been spent to date. Currently, there are 55 active projects in various stages of development, with 23 projects completed. This update includes funding adjustments (programming additional funds or deobligating existing funds) for 12 existing projects described below.
Metro
Program an additional $27,000,000 in FY2025-26 for Professional Service Contract #AE5204200, which was procured for the I-605/SR-60 Interchange as part of the I-605 Corridor Multimodal Improvements Project (CMIP), for a revised budget of $65,899,000. The funds are needed to modify the CMIP contract so the PA&ED phase for this project can be completed in response to the October 2020 Board Motion 42 (Attachment B) directing the Chief Executive Officer to revise the original project alternatives, including Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand Management and more robust community engagement. The Project will enhance the I-605 freeway corridor between I-105 and I-10 and incorporate multimodal improvements to the surrounding arterial network and transportation infrastructure serving adjacent communities to address safety and mobility challenges that reduce the speed and reliability of trips for automobile commuters, bus riders, goods movement vehicles, active transportation users, and pedestrians moving through and within the corridor. This Project will likely increase VMT.
Program an additional $23,000,000 in FY2025-26 for Professional Service Contract #AE333410011375, which was procured for the I-605/I-5 Interchange as part of the I-605 Corridor Multimodal Improvements Project, for a revised budget of $51,724,000. The funds are needed to modify the CMIP contract so the PA&ED phase for this project can be completed in response to the October 2020 Board Motion 42 (Attachment B) to revise the original project alternatives, including Transportation System Management/ Transportation Demand Management and more robust community engagement. The Project will enhance the I-605 freeway corridor between I-105 and I-10 and incorporate multimodal improvements to the surrounding arterial network and transportation infrastructure serving adjacent communities to address safety and mobility challenges that reduce the speed and reliability of trips for automobile commuters, bus riders, goods movement vehicles, active transportation users, and pedestrians moving through and within the corridor. This Project will likely increase VMT.
Program an additional $3,000,000 for MR315.73 - I-605 at Valley Boulevard Interchange Improvements Project in FY25-26 for a revised budget of $9,131,700. The Project is in the PS&E phase, and funds are being programmed to accommodate requests made by project partners, to complete the final design plans and certify the ROW, and allocate grant funds by June 30, 2026, to start construction in the Fall of 2026. The Project includes various safety, operational and mobility improvements, such as reconfiguring and widening freeway ramps, constructing freeway retaining and sound walls, upgrading signals (traffic and railroad), reconstructing and widening adjacent local arterials (Valley Boulevard and Temple Avenue) to enhance local traffic circulation and facilitate goods movement, upgrading curb ramps, sidewalks, and other infrastructure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and installing pedestrian quad gates and other railroad safety upgrades to reduce the potential for vehicular/railroad (freight and passenger train)/pedestrian conflicts. This Project will likely increase VMT.
Caltrans
Deobligate $14,843 for MR315.29 - I-605 Corridor "Hot Spots" Interchanges Program Development, I-710/SR-91 Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) for a revised budget of $219,157. The Project is complete.
Deobligate $152,220 for MR315.30 - I-605 Corridor "Hot Spots" Interchanges Program Development, I-710/SR-91 PSR-PDS for a revised budget of $347,780. The Project is complete.
Artesia
Deobligate $392,438 for MR315.25 - Pioneer Boulevard at Arkansas Street Intersection Project for a revised budget of $332,602. The Project is complete.
Bellflower
Deobligate $548,932 for MR315.16 - Bellflower Boulevard - Artesia Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project for a revised budget of $7,893,868. The Project is complete.
Cerritos
Deobligate $85,562 for MR315.38 - Carmenita Road - South Street Intersection Improvement Project for a revised budget of $548,701. The Project is complete.
Downey
Program an additional $1,995,383 for MR315.66 - Lakewood Boulevard at Firestone Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project in FY25-26 for a revised budget of $5,988,383. The Project is in the construction phase and funds are being programmed to fully fund this phase based on the lowest responsible, responsive bid received. The Project includes the reconstruction of the intersection and its approaches, additional left-turn lanes in the north and southbound directions along Lakewood Boulevard, traffic signal modification, signing, striping, and pavement markings. The Project will mitigate a pattern of left-turn collisions at the intersection by constructing additional left-turn lanes in the north and southbound directions and modifying the traffic signal operation. The Project also includes multimodal and complete street features such as bus shelters, bus signal priority, new crosswalks, leading pedestrian interval timing, new curb ramps, lighting improvements, and landscaping. These multimodal and complete street features help improve the reliability of local transit services and improve conditions for pedestrians. By investing in and improving alternative modes of transportation, the project may encourage mode shift away from driving. The Project will likely decrease VMT.
Pico Rivera
Deobligate $204,030 for MR315.09 - Rosemead Boulevard - Whittier Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project for a revised budget of $1,617,470. The Project is complete.
Deobligate $46,142 for MR315.19 - Rosemead Boulevard - Slauson Avenue Intersection Improvement Project for a revised budget of $2,854,858. The Project is complete.
Deobligate $3,101 for MR315.21 - Rosemead Boulevard - Washington Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project for a revised budget of $49,899. The Project is complete.
Gateway Cities I-710 South Early Action Projects
To date, a total of $361.4 million has been programmed for 75 projects in the Gateway Cities subregion, of which, $184.3 million (or 51%) has been spent to date. Currently, there are 51 active projects in various stages of development, with 24 projects completed. This update includes funding adjustments (programming new funds, reprogramming existing funds, or deobligating funds) for 17 existing projects described below.
Metro/Signal Hill
MR306.62 - Willow Street Corridor - Walnut Avenue to Cherry Congestion Relief Project. The entry in Attachment A, which previously included PS&E and construction, will now include the ROW and construction to reflect all project phases. The Project will likely increase VMT.
LA County
Deobligate $28,838 for MR306.16 - Review of the I-710 Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for a revised budget of $69,162.72. The Project is complete.
Bell Gardens
Deobligate $264,481 for MR306.35 (F9111) - Florence Avenue Improvements at Ira Avenue & Jaboneria Road for a revised budget of $18,918. This Board action supersedes the June 2025 Board action to correct the previously stated deobligated amount of $265,439 to $264,481. Program the corrected $264,481 deobligated from MR306.35 (F9111) to MR306.30 (F7120) - Eastern Avenue & Florence Avenue RSTI Project in FY25-26, resulting in a revised budget of $1,449,194. This action also supersedes the June 2025 Board action to correct the previously stated programmed amount.
Deobligate $1,220,172 for MR306.30 (F7120) - Florence Avenue and Eastern Avenue Widening for a revised budget of $229,022. The Project was in the ROW phase; however, the city has determined the Project is no longer feasible due to complications with ROW acquisition. The funds will be reallocated to other Bell Gardens projects.
Program an additional $450,000 for MR306.52 - Garfield Avenue and Eastern Avenue Intersection Improvement Project in FY25-26 for a revised budget of $5,085,000. This Project is currently in the construction phase, and additional funds are needed to cover rising construction costs. The Project is intended to enhance safety, increase intersection capacity, and improve operations by realigning the existing “Y” intersection into a “T” intersection. This Project will likely increase VMT.
Program an additional $770,172 for MR306.65 - Clara Street Corridor Intersection Improvements Project in FY25-26 for a revised budget of $4,486,172. The project is currently in the process of executing a funding agreement, and additional funds are needed to address anticipated construction cost escalations. The Project is intended to improve transportation conditions on local roadways, reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and safety through restriping turn lanes, reducing sidewalk widths, and upgrading signal phasing. This Project will likely increase VMT.
Commerce
Deobligate $3,562 for MR306.09 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of $71,438. The Project is complete.
Compton
Deobligate $35,310 for MR306.10 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of zero. The Project is complete.
Downey
Deobligate $110,933 for MR306.18 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of $19,066.64. The Project is complete.
Deobligate $5,411 for MR306.20 - Paramount Boulevard at Firestone Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project for a revised budget of $3,063.589. The Project is complete.
Long Beach
Deobligate $53,991 for MR306.11 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of $46,008.92. The Project is complete.
Lynwood
Reprogram $1,500,000 for MR306.59 - Imperial Highway Capacity Enhancements Project. The funds are being reprogrammed as follows: $1,500,000 in FY24-25, the budget remains the same at $6,465,000. The Project is currently in the construction phase, and funds are being reprogrammed to expand the project scope and limits. The Project includes installation of traffic signal equipment and restriping between State Street and Wright Road along Imperial Highway. This Board action replaces a previous action in January 2025 due to a recently identified accounting error with the reprogrammed amount. The Project will likely increase VMT.
Maywood
Deobligate $26,574 for MR306.12 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of $38,426.50. The Project is complete.
Program an additional $3,080,531 for MR306.56 - Slauson Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard Congestion Relief Improvements Project in FY25-26 for a revised budget of $10,498,681. The Project is in the construction phase, and the additional funds are being programmed to cover increased costs. This Project includes roadway widening at the intersection of Slauson Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard to add an eastbound left-turn lane and a northbound left-turn lane, traffic signal equipment upgrades along Slauson Avenue between Atlantic Boulevard and Maywood Avenue, traffic signal synchronization and coordination, relocating bus stops and installing new bus shelters. This Project will likely increase VMT.
Paramount
Deobligate $1,496 for MR306.13 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of $128,504. The Project is complete.
Deobligate $1,075 for MR306.32 - Garfield Avenue Improvements Project for a revised budget of $2,824,000. The Project is complete.
South Gate
Deobligate $39,751 for MR306.14 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of $160,249.42. The Project is complete.
Vernon
Deobligate $22,801 for MR306.15 - Review of the I-710 Draft EIR/EIS for a revised budget of $52,198.60. The Project is complete.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The multimodal subregional programs aim to develop a transportation system that balances multimodal mobility options and safety improvements, allowing people to spend less time traveling.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The highway projects are funded from the Measure R 20% Highway Capital subfund earmarked for several LA County subregions. FY26 funds are allocated for Arroyo Verdugo Project No.460310 and Las Virgenes-Malibu Project No. 460311 under Cost Center 0442 in Account 54001 (Subsidies to Others).
For the South Bay Cities subregion, FY26 funds are allocated in Cost Centers 0442, 4720, 4740, Accounts 54001 (Subsidies to Others), and 50316 (Professional Services) in Projects 460312, 461312, 462312, and 463312.
For the Gateway Cities subregion, FY26 funding for the I-605 Corridor “Hot Spots” Projects is allocated to Project No. 460314, Cost Centers 4720, 0442, Account 54001 (Subsidies to Others), and Account 50316 (Professional Services) in Projects 461314, 462314, 463314, 460345, 460348, 460350, and 460351. I-710 South Early Action Project funds have been budgeted in Project No. 460316 in Cost Center 0442.
The remaining funds are distributed from the Measure R 20% Highway Capital subfund via funding agreements to Caltrans and the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster in the FY26 budget under Cost Center 0442 in Project No. 460330, Account 54001 (Subsidies to Others).
Since the Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Programs are multi-year programs that contain various projects, Cost Centers 0442, 4720 and 4740 will be responsible for budgeting the costs in current and future years.
Impact to Budget
This action will not impact the approved FY26 budget. Staff will rebalance the budget as needed to support the identified priorities and will evaluate budgetary requirements during the quarterly and mid-year adjustment processes, subject to the availability of funds.
The source of funds for these projects is Measure R 20% Highway Capital Funds. This fund source is not eligible for transit capital or operations expenses.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This semi-annual update provides funding for the next phases of the Board-approved Highway Subsidy grants, which align with Measure R guidelines and the Metro Objectives for Multimodal Highway Investments. These grants support transportation projects that enhance safety, accessibility, and efficiency, particularly in Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) in the cities of Bell Gardens, Downey, Hawthorne, Lynwood, Maywood, as well as in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
Metro’s Complete Streets and Highways staff provides technical assistance to jurisdictions across different subregions, assisting cities in determining Measure R funding eligibility and developing funding agreements that include project scope, cost, and schedules. Each city and/or agency, in collaboration with its subregion, conducts its own community engagement process tailored to the specific transportation improvements being developed. These locally determined and prioritized projects reflect the needs of the communities they serve.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While the agency remains committed to reducing VMT through transit and multimodal investments, some projects may induce or increase personal vehicle travel. However, these individual projects aim to ensure the efficient and safe movement of people and goods. Each project’s VMT outcome is included in the brief project description earlier in this report. This Board item, which looks at a number of smaller investments across modes, will likely increase VMT in LA County, as it includes several projects that encourage driving alone.
Although this item may not directly contribute to achieving the Board-adopted VMT Reduction Targets, these targets were developed to account for the cumulative effect of a suite of programs and projects within the Metro region, which individually may induce or increase VMT. Additionally, Metro operates under a voter-approved mandate to deliver multimodal projects that enhance mobility while ensuring the efficient and safe movement of people and goods.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports the strategic plan goals:
Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling.
Goal 1.1. Approval of the multimodal highway subregional programs will expand the transportation system as responsibly and quickly as possible as approved in Measure R and M to strengthen and expand LA County’s transportation system.
Goal 2: Transform LA County through regional collaboration”
Goal 2.1. Metro will work closely with municipalities, Council of Governments, Caltrans to implement holistic strategies for advancing mobility goals.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve the recommendations described in Attachment A. This option is not recommended as it will delay the development of locally prioritized improvements. In addition, projects that are starting or already in the construction phase may incur cost implications due to delays in necessary funding agreements, amendments, and time extensions.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue working with the subregions to execute necessary agreements for Board-approved projects within the Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Program. Staff will also continue working with the various subregions and local jurisdictions to promote multimodal, safe, equitable, and sustainable investments within the Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Programs.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Programs - January 2026
Attachment B - Motion 42
Prepared_By
Prepared by: Fulgene Asuncion, Senior Director, Complete Streets and Highways, (213) 922-3025
Phylyp Bardowell, Senior Transportation Planner, Complete Streets and Highways, (213) 547-4348
Roberto Machuca, Deputy Executive Officer, Complete Streets and Highways, (213) 418-3467
Michelle Smith, Executive Officer, Complete Streets and Highways, (213) 547-4368
Avital Barnea, Senior Executive Officer, Multimodal Integrated Planning, (213) 547-4317
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 547-4274
