Politics & Government

Villaraigosa, Officials Push Transit Spending Bill at Chatsworth Depot

America Fast Forward plan would provide federal loans to local transportation agencies to build projects.

Metro officials joined labor and business leaders on Wednesday morning at a rally along the Orange Line Extension in Chatsworth to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a two-year transportation spending bill.

Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa, Metro Directors Richard Katz and Mel Wilson and Metro CEO Art Leahy all participated.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill that includes key elements of Metro’s America Fast Forward plan that would provide federal loans to local transit agencies to build projects.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Mayor and other speakers noted that America Fast Forward (AFF) enjoys national bipartisan support and that federal low interest loans — combined with local taxes such as Measure R — could accelerate the construction of transit and highway projects to spur the economy and create jobs.

At the same time, taxpayers benefit because we can beat inflation, take advantage of competitive bids in the current market and have projects completed much sooner.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This report by Steve Hymon originally appeared on Metro's The Source site.


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