Metro CEO Roger Snoble: "The cuts to transportation in the most recent state budget would have been worse without the hard work of Mobility 21."

Mobility 21 2004
L.A. County Moving Together
Third Annual Countywide Transportation Summit

Mobility 21 Summit Paves the Way for Transportation Improvements

(August 3, 2004) More than 500 government, business, labor and community leaders attending the third annual Mobility 21 transportation summit Aug. 3, approved recommendations aimed at improving the region’s transportation infrastructure.

The summit also was the occasion for kicking off a $9 billion plan to fund LA County’s “Top Ten Traffic Busters.” The list includes expansion of light rail lines, more carpool lanes, street and highway and freight corridor improvements.

The Top Ten Traffic Busters include the expansion of light rail lines, addition of carpool lanes, improvements to streets and highways, as well as improvements to key corridors to improve the movement of goods. The total price tag for the projects is close to $9 billion.

"These Top Ten Traffic Busters represent what it will take to just keep up with anticipated growth and traffic," said Metro CEO Roger Snoble. "We need to continue to build a more efficient and comprehensive transportation network, and these ten initiatives will help keep us moving in that direction."

During the conference, Metro CEO Roger Snoble presented members of the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation with the 2004 Julian C. Dixon Award for successfully securing a $490.7 million full funding grant agreement needed to begin construction on the Eastside Extension of the Metro Gold Line. The award is named in honor of the late Congressman who was an early champion of Los Angeles County’s rail and bus systems.

Metro CEO Roger Snoble, at left, presents the 2004 Julian C. Dixon Award to the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation for successfully securing a $490.7 million full funding grant agreement needed to begin construction on the Eastside Extension of the Metro Gold Line. Pictured are, from left: Johanna Williams, Field Deputy for Senator Barbara Boxer; Maya Zutler, Field Deputy for Senator Dianne Feinstein; Bob Blumenfield, District Director for Congressman Howard Berman; Benita Duran, Field Deputy for Congresswoman Hilda Solis; Samuel Riddle, Field Deputy for Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald; Gayle Greenberg, Field Deputy for Congressman Xavier Becerra; Charles Stewart, Field Deputy for Congresswoman Diane Watson; Betty Lee Dixon, widow of the late Congressman Julian Dixon; Kimberlee Tachiki, Field Deputy for Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Eddie Tafoya, Field Deputy for Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Michael Tou, Field Deputy for Congressman Brad Sherman; Alice C. Bisno, VP for Legislative & Regulatory Affairs for the Automobile Club of Southern California; Pearl Fu, Field Deputy for Congressman Adam Schiff; George Kieffer, Chairman of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; Roger Snoble, Metro CEO.

Sponsored by Metro and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California, Mobility 21 is aimed at bringing together leaders from transportation, government, business, labor and the community to develop solutions to the region's transportation challenges.

Members of the Mobility 21 coalition have traveled extensively to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. over the past two years to advocate for more investment in transportation for Los Angeles County.

California Assemblyman Keith Richman (R-Granada Hills) calls on Sacramento to reserve taxes on gasoline for transportation at Mobility 21 conference Aug. 3. Lancaster Mayor and Metro Chairman Frank Roberts, at left, and Automobile of Southern California executive Alice C. Bisno, center, were among top transportation leaders from across Los Angeles County united in Mobility 21 efforts to relieve traffic congestion in the area.

"We want our legislators to hear this region speak with one voice when it comes to transportation funding," said Lancaster Mayor and Metro Board Chair Frank Roberts. "Through Mobility 21, we are making progress in building consensus and getting projects funded."

In addition, a wide range of topics were discussed at the summit as part of breakout sessions including linking housing with transportation, improving freeway safety to decrease gridlock, transportation funding and Los Angeles as a center for global trade, transportation and economic growth.

Among the recommendations approved by Mobility 21 participants were: support the state’s proposal to integrate infrastructure planning for housing and transportation under one agency; and support a constitutional amendment to allow a 55 percent vote requirement to pass a local transportation sales tax and support an additional local ½ percent sales tax for transportation.
Also, to support Gov. Schwarzenegger’s efforts to repay transportation loans with Indian gaming revenues while looking for long-term solutions; support Operation Traffix and the Watch the Road campaign to reduce unsafe driving behaviors that contribute to accidents and traffic congestion and to establish a grassroots educational campaign to create a better understanding of the links between trade transportation, economic growth and quality of life.