Mayor Bass, Senator Padilla and Los Angeles Leaders Highlight Nearly $900 Million in Federal Funding to Bolster L.A. Transportation Infrastructure Ahead of 2028 Olympic Games

LA Metro received $709.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Fiscal Year 2024 transportation spending law, which will go toward the D Line (Purple) Subway Extension Project and the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project. The Los Angeles region will also receive $160 million in new federal grant funding for street and transit infrastructure, traffic safety and to improve connections between neighborhoods. This includes $139 million that will directly improve transportation mobility access during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and create lasting enhancements for communities. 

“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.” 

“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 communities long after the Olympics are over,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “For too long, highways and inadequate transportation infrastructure have cut communities across California off from quality educational, healthcare, and job opportunities. That’s why I’m glad to announce that over $139 million from this new funding will specifically help reconnect our communities.”

Mayor Bass yesterday joined leaders to announce the successful completion of tunnel mining operations on all three sections of the Metro Purple (D) Line Extension Project. The City of Los Angeles, Metro and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) also recently celebrated the opening of 5.6 miles of new bus priority lanes on Sepulveda Boulevard this week as part of ongoing citywide efforts to save transit customers time and increase the reliability of bus service.

“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 U.S. Representative Jimmy 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 U.S. Representative Grace 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 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 L.A. 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.”

SOURCE: https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-senator-padilla-and-los-angeles-leaders-highlight-nearly-900-million-federal