Our voices were heard!
Legislation to prevent SR-91 project delays approved

With your help, Mobility 21 sent a strong message to legislators urging their immediate action to approve legislation needed to prevent delays on the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s (RCTC) Riverside Freeway (SR-91) Corridor Improvement Project.

To date, more than 65 letters from Mobility 21 supporters have been sent to the legislature. AB 2098 (Miller) has passed both the California State Senate and Assembly and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

“This legislation is as timely as it is necessary. It will create at least 18,000 new jobs and immediately impact a sector of our economy and a region of our state hit hardest by the recession,” said Assemblymember Jeff Miller (R-Corona). “We simply have to get people moving and we have to get them back to work.”

Legislation is required to fast-track the $1.3 billion project using the design-build project delivery method. This will create jobs and relieve congestion three to five years sooner than under traditional procurement methods.

Letters of support needed to advance critical 
rail safety projects in Southern California

Our advocacy work is making a difference for rail safety programs, too. More than 70 letters of support from Mobility 21 members were sent to the California legislature encouraging them to support legislation to authorize the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to allow Southern California to move forward with vital rail safety projects, including Positive Train Control.

Because California currently does not have a state budget, the CTC cannot allocate funds for rail safety projects without this important legislation.

Our work is not done. Make your voice heard and send a letter of support today to help Mobility 21 fight for rail safety funding for Southern California, including Positive Train Control technology that could have prevented the tragic Metrolink accident in Chatsworth.

SUMMIT SPOTLIGHT:
Sitting down with Southern California’s CEOs

Join the chief executives of Southern California’s transportation commissions during the Mobility 21 Summit closing general session. Get a behind-the-scenes look at upcoming capital projects in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura Counties as panelists discuss the future of transportation and the reality of our funding crisis.

Moderated by Mobility 21 Board Member and Orange County Business Council President and CEO Lucy Dunn, panelists include:

  • Deborah Barmack Mobility 21 Board Member and San Bernardino Associated Governments Executive Director
  • Gary Gallegos Mobility 21 Board Member and San Diego Association of Governments Executive Director
  • Will Kempton Mobility 21 Board Member and Orange County Transportation Authority CEO
  • Darren Kettle Mobility 21 Board Member and Ventura County Transportation Commission Executive Director
  • Arthur T. Leahy Mobility 21 Board Member and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO
  • Anne Mayer Mobility 21 Board Member and Riverside County Transportation Commission Executive Director

Summit registration now open! Read the complete Summit program andregister online.

Sponsorship opportunities available. Read more about the available sponsorship packages. If interested, contact Marnie O’Brien Primmer at 949.288.6884 or mprimmer@mobility21.com.

Creating jobs and kicking off construction for new and improved SR-57 Freeway

Together with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) officials, Mobility 21 Board Member and OCTA CEO Will Kempton and Mobility 21 Board Member and Orange County Business Council President and CEO Lucy Dunn joined Mobility 21 Executive Director Marnie O’Brien Primmer to celebrate the start of construction on the first segment of the Orange Freeway (SR-57) project this month.

Dunn, donning a poodle skirt and retro glasses to celebrate the 50s theme of the groundbreaking ceremony, emphasized the importance of the putting Southern Californians back to work to help revitalize our struggling economy. “It’s not every day that I get to play a 50s gal. But it’s about honoring our rich and colorful past in Orange County with a back-to-the-future mentality. I joined many of you here two years ago when we launched our “Ready to Work” program – labor and management together – to highlight the fact that here in Orange County, we had shovel-ready projects. I’m thrilled to return here at this very spot overlooking the 57 Freeway to report that we’re ready to roll with another construction project in Orange County.”

With construction on the first segment of the project expected to be complete in summer 2014, improvements include the addition of a northbound lane from north of of the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) near Orangethorpe Avenue in Placentia to Lambert Road in Brea.

Not only will this project create more than 5,000 jobs and reduce traffic and delays for thousands of commuters every day, but improved mobility on this stretch of freeway will ease the flow of commerce on a vital goods movement corridor.

Fran Inman appointed to CTC

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently announced Fran Inman’s appointment to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). In her new role, Inman will join Mobility 21 Board Member and fellow CTC Commissioner Lucy Dunn in programming and allocating funds for California’s highway and transit projects.

“I am truly honored to have the privilege to serve on the California Transportation Commission. I welcome the opportunity to work with such a distinguished group of commissioners,” said Inman. “There is a wealth of expertise on the commission and most importantly, the commissioners are all dedicated and committed to a healthy, vibrant transportation system throughout California.”

Don’t miss the special reception on Friday, Sept. 17 honoring Caltrans Director Cindy McKim and Commissioner Inman, hosted by Mobility 21, WTS Orange County and the Orange County Business Council’s OCMoves.

Plan to replace aging Long Beach infrastructure moves forward

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the Environmental Impact Report for the nearly $1 billion project to replace the deteriorating Gerald Desmond Bridge – a vital cargo route carrying 15% of the nation’s goods.

“This is a high priority project both on a national and a local scale,” Harbor Commission President Nick Sramek said in a statement. “It benefits both the environment and the economy, and we need to move forward expeditiously.”

The bridge will include three traffic lanes plus emergency lanes in each direction and stand higher than the existing Gerald Desmond Bridge to accommodate the new generation of taller green cargo ships. The project is estimated to take five to six years to complete and will create approximately 4,000 jobs per year.

The Source joinsmobility21.com

Starting in fall 2010, The Source online transportation news and feature service will join mobility21.com as another excellent source of transportation news for our region.

The Source debuted on metro.net – L.A. Metro’s website – in October, 2009 following the Mobility 21 Summit. It was created in response to the dramatic shift in how the public gets information and as a way to convey in a simple and correct manner, complex issues that face 21st century transit agencies …. particularly in Southern California. Since its debut, The Source has logged more than 1,000 posts.

With contributors like Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Hymon and car-less in L.A. blogger Frederick Dennstedt a.k.a. Fred Camino, The Source is updated throughout the day with key developments and unique viewpoints that help the public keep tabs on what’s being done to keep our region and how taxpayers’ transit sales tax dollars are being spent. The Source showcases a steady stream of real time news about critical transportation issues as well as feature stories packaged with video, photos and other compelling visuals.

Organization seeks near-term solutions to Los Angeles’ traffic nightmare

FAST, Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic, is a nonprofit organization committed to improving congestion by supporting short-term strategies to relive the thousands of commuters trapped in Los Angeles gridlock everyday. By supporting and optimizing existing transit options, FAST seeks to ease the negative impact to Los Angeles’ economy due to congestion and get people home and to work faster.

“FAST is dedicated to addressing Los Angeles County’s traffic crisis through near-term fixes to our existing transportation infrastructure,” said FAST Executive Director Hilary Norton. “These fixes include comprehensive roadway improvements paving, signal synchronization, dedicated bus-only lanes, “paired streets,” bicycle lanes and parking management as well as implementing HOT lanes on our freeways and Multi-Mobility Hubs at our transit stations.”

FAST’s coalition advocates optimizing our current system, while working together with long-term solutions such as the 30/10 program and high-speed rail. To learn more about short-term strategies for improved mobility, visit the FAST website.

TRANSPORTATION EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Sept. 12 – 16
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce: California Governor’s Trade Mission to South Korea
more info | register now

Sept. 14 – 15
California Transit Association: 45th Annual Fall Conference & EXPO
more info | register now

Thursday, Sept. 16
Distribution Management Association: New Labor Relations Challenges in the Obama Era
more info | register now

Friday, Sept. 17
Mobility 21, OCMoves and WTS O.C.: Welcome Reception for Cindy McKim & Fran Inman
more info | register now

Sept. 21 – 22
Transportation Research Board – ITS Mid-Year Committee Meeting: Workshop on Research Needs for IntelliDrive Applications for the Public Sector
more info | register now

Oct. 3 – 5
CMAA Southern California: National Conference & Trade Show
more info | register now

Wednesday, Oct. 6
CSULB Center for International Trade & Transportation: Panama Canal Expansion: The Battle for Jobs and Cargo. Who Wins? Who Loses? Who Decides?
more info | register now

Thursday, Oct. 14
CMAA Southern California: Transportation Night: Capital Program Update
more info | register now

Friday, Oct. 29
Mobility 21: Ninth Annual Southern California Transportation Summit
more info | register now

Friday, Nov. 5
Inland Empire Economic Partnership: Second Annual Energy Summit

Thursday, Nov. 11
WTS Los Angeles: Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner
more info

Nov. 14-16
Self-Help Counties Coalition: Focus on the Future Conference
more info

Friday, Dec. 3
CMAA Southern California: Breakfast of Champions with OCTA
more info | register now

Thursday, Jan. 20
WTS Inland Empire: Sixth Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner
more info