Obama Budget Includes Big Money For L.A. Transit
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L.A. Metro. (Mark Hogan/Flickr)
The White House said it will invest $476 billion in transportation over the next decade, with $81 million of that headed straight toward two L.A. projects.
LA Streets Blog reported Tuesday $50 million from the Federal Transit Administration's "New Starts" program will support construction of the Westside Subway, with another $31 million doled out for the Regional Connector, Downtown's light rail project.
But getting the dough hinges on the budget making its way successfully through Congress, which Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pushed for via press release. “The President has come through for Los AngelesCounty," the statement said. "Now it’s Congress’ turn: the House and Senate should pass the New Starts transit funding in the President’s budget so we can put people back to work.”
From LA Streets:
The inclusion of these funds in the budget isn’t a surprise to those watching the projects. One year ago, Secretary Ray LaHood announced ten transportation projects that were at the top of the administration’s priority list and it included both the Regional Connector and the Westside Subway. While both the Mayor and Secretary refused to directly comment on the budget at last week’s joint press event, the Mayor did offer his trademark smile with a guarantee that, “trust me, you’re going to like it.”
Released Monday, Obama's budget for fiscal year 2013 has been called a "balanced approach" by some, but is still expected to face an uphill battle in Congress.
