Congratulations LA! This is great for the region. The discussion towards the end of the article about the limited ability of the Expo line to reduce congestion is a bit ridiculous. Transit gives people options to avoid being stuck in congestion. Clearly, it won't eliminate highway congestion in LA County but it will give people a choice to spending two hours on the highways. Additionally, removing just five percent of the vehicles from the highways during peak travel periods can have a disproportionate benefit in reducing congestion.
Expo Line backers hope the Westside is ready to come aboard
Transit officials are spending $2.2 billion to extend the Expo Line light rail through the Westside. Both Santa Monica and Culver City are making big bets that the line will be a boon to their bustling but traffic-clogged communities.
Crews remove trees at 26th Street and Olympic Boulevard in Santa Monica in preparation for construction of the Bergamot Station, part of Phase 2 of the Expo Line. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times / April 25, 2012)
By Martha Groves
Los Angeles Times
April 28, 2012
"Cuningham Group Architecture's office is situated a few blocks from the water in Marina del Rey, where some workers like to run, bike or skateboard to work.
In June the firm will be moving seven miles inland to an office compound in Culver City. The draw? The nearby Expo Line station.
"We wanted to be in Culver City because of the rail line," said Jonathan Watts, a firm principal. "We end up being in downtown Los Angeles a lot dealing with the city and permitting, and we have a number of employees living east of downtown. We were looking for a more central location by transit..."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...882,full.story