Overview
Los Angeles traffic congestion is heading from bad to worse.
We consistently have been ranked as the urban area with the worst traffic
congestion in the country. The average commuter spends 72 hours per year idling
in traffic. The average freeway speed during the afternoon peak period in the
region was about 25 miles-per–hour in 2003, and is projected to deteriorate to
21 miles-per-hour in 2035—unless we find additional solutions beyond completing
the highway and transit projects in the pipeline.
Funding formulas through fuel taxes and state and federal
programs fail to meet our need. We are now faced with congestion reduction
choices that include the option of roadway pricing or congestion pricing.
This year the Metro Board of Directors took responsible action
by directing agency staff to identify by summer 2008 at least three
demonstration projects where pricing will contribute to increasing capacity and
throughput, improve air quality, and raise revenues.
Metro, in partnership with Caltrans the Southern California
Association of Governments, and other transportation organizations will inform
the communities of Los Angeles County on proposed options for congestion
reduction that includes transit options as well as roadway pricing options.
Roger Snoble, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Metro
Future public meetings can also be
found here.
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