Rep. Napolitano Signs Grant to Extend LA Metro Purple Line

Press Release

Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), joined U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Chief Counsel Dorval Carter, California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Reps. Henry Waxman (CA-33), Xavier Becerra (CA-34), and Janice Hahn (CA-44), Los Angeles Metro Chair Diane DuBois and CEO Art Leahy, in signing the Full Funding Grant Agreement for the Westside Subway (Purple Line) Project in Los Angeles.

"The awarding of new federal transportation grant funding for extending the Purple Line marks a critical investment in the future of Southern California's transportation infrastructure that benefits all of Los Angeles county," Napolitano said. "The expansion of the west side's light rail will decrease travel times, help reduce pollution, create jobs, and strengthen our local economies. The next focus should be for MTA to continue to support the Gold Line Foothill extension through the San Gabriel Valley to Claremont and Ontario Airport, which has already improved public transportation through Azusa. We hope to see more proposals and funding of these projects on the east side of the county. Cooperation from federal funds continues to be an essential ingredient for increased safety and efficiency in our region."

The agreement announced today designates $2.1 billion in federal grants and loans toward the $2.8 billion project to help build the 3.9-mile Westside Purple Line Extension from downtown Los Angeles to the City of Beverly Hills. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will receive $1.25 billion in construction grant funds from the FTA's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program and up to $856 million from the DOT's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program with the remainder funded by state and local sources. LACMTA estimates that project construction will create more than 22,000 jobs.

Napolitano is the senior California Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

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