Alex Padilla U.S. Senator for California

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Representatives Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34) and Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.-31), and Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Chair Karen Bass were joined by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins and LA 2028 Olympics Chair Casey Wasserman to announce new federal transportation infrastructure investments for the LA region. Leaders gathered outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to highlight nearly $900 million in recent federal investments in LA Metro to improve mobility and upgrade transportation infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The funding for LA Metro includes over $700 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the recently passed FY 2024 appropriations bill. Last month, Senator Padilla also highlighted $139 million for LA Metro’s “Removing Barriers and Creating Legacy” project, which will reconnect communities and strengthen mobility across highway and arterial barriers as the region prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The funding comes through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program (RCN), which includes the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program that was modeled off the Reconnecting Communities Act that Padilla co-led in 2021.

“As Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympic Games, we have a responsibility not just to make the Games run smoothly, but to make investments that will benefit our communities long after the Games are over,” said Senator Padilla. “For too long, highways and inadequate transportation infrastructure have cut communities across California off from quality educational, health care, and job opportunities. That’s why I’m glad to announce that a portion of the new funding will specifically help reconnect our communities.”

“This funding will help reshape the future of our city and make it a better, safer, and more accessible place to live and work. I was proud to secure $151 million for my district for projects that will build green spaces and infrastructure projects to reconnect communities that were ripped apart by highways and trains. As we prepare to host the Olympics, these initiatives will not only showcase the resilience and innovation of Los Angeles but also leave a lasting legacy for generations to come,” said Representative Gomez.

“As the highest-ranking Californian on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was very proud to help draft and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, working with Senator Padilla on the Senate Public Works Committee, to ensure much needed funding comes to our communities,” said Representative Napolitano. “I was also glad to lead 13 LA County colleagues in supporting LA Metro’s $139 Million grant request for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods project. I am particularly pleased that the El Monte Bus station, the largest bus station west of Chicago, will receive enhancements including investments in bike and pedestrian upgrades, concessions, business development spaces, accessible parking, and EV charging, among other improvements. Today’s announcement of hundreds of millions in federal transportation funding for LA County is only the start of our continued work in preparation for the 2028 Games and beyond.”

“I was proud to help secure this vital funding to better connect our communities,” said Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37). “The funding allocated to Metro will improve, expand, and provide greater access to public transit across Los Angeles, reconnecting communities that have historically been neglected. As Los Angeles prepares to host major world events including the Olympics, Super Bowl, and World Cup, it is critical that we improve Metro for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.”   

“These investments are going to help transform Los Angeles,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “I want to thank Senator Padilla for continuing to deliver crucial resources, especially as we prepare to host the World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Together, we will continue to push to make Metro safer and more accessible for all.” 

“I want to salute Senator Padilla for his remarkable leadership. The federal funding Metro recently received is a perfect and consequential example of what happens when local, regional and federal partners work together and advocate together,” said LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “LA Metro is committed to providing world-class mobility across LA County and for continuing our strong partnership with all stakeholders who want to join us in reshaping and reimaging mobility in our region.”

“The LA28 Games will be the largest peacetime gathering in the history of the world, and an opportunity to show the world the best of our region and nation. We are grateful to Senator Padilla, our members of Congress, and the Department of Transportation for this boost to accelerate projects that will build LA’s mobility future, while also supporting Games-time transportation, and we look forward to continued partnership to deliver the transportation needs of the Games and the region,” said LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Chairperson Casey Wasserman.

“Exposition Park is a gem in the heart of Los Angeles and the eyes of the world will be set on us for a historic third Olympic games. I commend Senator Padilla for his vision and efforts to ensure that this monumental nearly $1 billion investment in federal funds is used to ensure we have the adequate transportation infrastructure to support the millions of commuters that will visit our world-class museums as part of their Olympic experience,” said Exposition Park General Manager, Andrea Ambriz. “We are ready to work with our federal, county, agency, and LA28 partners to make the 2028 Olympics the most successful games of all-time.”

The $139 million Padilla helped secure through the RCN Program will invest in bus priority lanes, bus corridor enhancements, mobility hubs, first/last mile enhancements, and Metro GoPass, among other elements. These investments will improve connectivity in LA County, providing direct benefits to 1 million disadvantaged Angelenos.

The RCN Program also awarded $9.96 million for the Humphreys Bridge Crossing. This partnership between LA Metro, Caltrans, and LA County Public Works will construct a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle overcrossing adjacent to the existing Humphreys Avenue bridge over I-710 in the historically disadvantaged community of East Los Angeles, California. The project also includes complementary pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements such as upgraded crosswalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and improved sidewalks.

The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development FY 2024 appropriations bill recently signed by President Biden included hundreds of millions of dollars for the Westside Purple Line Extension Project (Sections 2 and 3) and for the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project. LA Metro anticipates receiving $165 million for WPLE Section 2, $478 million for WPLE Section 3, and $66.9 million for the ESFV Transit Corridor Project.

Senator Padilla has supported billions of dollars in federal investments for LA Metro. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein announced $1.24 billion for LA Metro from the American Rescue Plan Act to help the transit agency maintain service and jobs. Padilla, Feinstein, and Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.-29) also supported the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement that they would obligate nearly $1 billion in federal funds for the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor light rail line project. At a press conference with LA Metro, Padilla further highlighted federal funding he helped secure for projects throughout the region, including a $5 million federal investment for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project and the Biden Administration’s proposal to provide $250 million for the project in FY 2023 through the Federal Transit Administration’s Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot Program.

Last year, Senator Padilla announced over $35 million for California in the first round of funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program.

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