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HIGHLIGHTS OF LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCILMEMBER ALEX PADILLA’S RECORD ON TRANSPORTATION Alex Padilla has worked to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety by bringing new public transit projects to the community and enhancing existing services in the San Fernando Valley. As a State Senator, Alex wants to address traffic problems by working to construct new roads and bring more transportation alternatives to the Valley. Examples of Alex’s record on transportation include: Fighting for the Valley’s Fair Share for Transportation Projects Alex secured millions in federal funding for key transportation projects in the Valley, including improvements to the Osborne Corridor from the 5 freeway to Hansen Dam, street improvements in Lake View Terrace, Sylmar, and Mission Hills and landscaping improvements on the Van Nuys Rapid Busway. Alex created a working group to pursue $100 million in funding for the North/South Valley Transit Way. The working group included city officials as well as MTA representatives. State funding has been committed to this transit way and three alternative routes are currently being studied. Alex has been the lead advocate for the construction of the Sylmar LAX Fly-Away, which include would include 1,200 parking spaces and provide Valley travelers a convenient and efficient way to travel to and from Los Angeles International Airport while taking hundreds of cars off the 405 freeway each day. Working with Neighborhoods on Traffic and Safety Projects Following through on his commitment to address basic city services, Alex worked closely with city departments to resurface 90 miles of streets and repair more than 24 miles of sidewalks in his council district. In addition, he has delivered more than 700 street lights and 135 utilitarian lights for streets that previously lacked lighting. Alex has worked with local neighborhoods to address their specific traffic concerns, including speed bumps, crosswalks, flashing “smart crosswalks,” stop signs and traffic lights. To help cut through red tape, Alex sponsored a successful City Council motion to require that a traffic light be installed at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Kewen Avenue in Pacoima, which had been the site of several serious accidents. In Panorama City, Alex worked to secure funding for design and construction of the Willis Street Pedestrian Bridge. The bridge provides local residents safe passage over railroad tracks. During the heavy winter storms of 2005, the Osborne Street Bridge was damaged and no longer safe. The bridge closure also cut off an entire neighborhood from emergency services. Alex brought together officials from multiple jurisdictions to expedite the construction of a temporary bridge and the reconstruction of the old bridge. Improving Traffic Safety Around Schools To protect school children, Alex has aggressively pursued Safe Routes to Schools funds that resulted the construction of new sidewalks adjacent to neighborhood schools. Alex introduced a council motion to re-stripe the streets and put new warning signals near Arminta Elementary. These improvements helped increase safety around the school and has resulted in fewer traffic violations. He also worked with parents, teachers and school district administrators to improve the traffic flow around San Fernando High School. Improving Los Angeles’s Streets for Cyclists To support cyclists in the community, Alex Padilla secured $2 million to construct the second phase of the San Fernando Road Bikeway, which will stretch from the City of San Fernando to Branford Street in Sun Valley. The project is currently under construction. Expanding Public Transportation in the Valley Under Alex’s leadership, the construction of the Sun Valley Metrolink Station was completed, bringing to the area Metrolink service from Downtown Los Angeles to Lancaster as well as a connection to city bus lines. To increase bus service efficiency, Alex supported light synchronization and the development of the Orange Line in the Valley. Alex also secured funding for the expanded service on the DASH Panorama City shuttle bus line. He has led efforts to install more than 45 new bus shelters in his council district to protect waiting passengers from sun and rain. The advertising revenue from the new bus shelters helps to fund other important street improvements including street lights. And, at Mission College, he worked to develop a transit hub to facilitate student use of mass transit. As a member of the League of California Cities, Alex successfully lobbied to include funding for local road maintenance and repair in the state’s Transportation Congestion Relief package.