Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) CEO Phillip Washington is rolling out ambitious plans for the future of transportation in Los Angeles.

At a recent board meeting, Washington unveiled a $120 billion plan that would involve putting a measure on the November ballot to increase the countywide sales tax by a half-cent and keep an already existing tax in existence for 18 more years. Metro says the revenue from this would help fund public transit and highway projects that would be built over the next 40 years. There would also be billions spent on improving and expanding pedestrian and bike paths across the city. In addition, the plan would return some revenues to local cities on a per capita basis — money those cities could spend on their own local transportation improvements.

Within the first 15 years, projects slated for completion would include a rail tunnel through the Sepulveda Pass, new rail routes through Van Nuys, Westwood, Artesia, and Claremont, and creating toll lanes out of carpool lanes on the 105 and 405 freeways.

“As LA Metro plans for future growth and transportation needs, it is imperative that we look at all mechanisms at our disposal to ensure the region’s mobility needs are met,” said Washington. “Working with our community stakeholders, this expenditure plan brings us a step closer in defining what projects are needed and where the funding could come from to complete those projects.

A full list of projects is posted at www.metro.net/theplan

Source:  KPCC