Southern California Planners Predict $100 Billion In Transportation Needs

With the population expected to surge to 60 million by 2050, most agree that the region needs major investment, though the sources of funding remain unclear.

1 minute read

July 11, 2007, 12:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera

"Building the roads and transportation infrastructure needed to accommodate Southern California's surging population could cost more than $100 billion, according to planners, leaving the region's taxpayers with a tough choice ahead.

Local transportation agencies said the Southland's freeways and mass transit need drastic changes to accommodate what state officials project as a 60% increase in the region's population by 2050.

That would probably include adding upper decks to some Los Angeles County freeways, new rail lines and building freeways or toll roads in places like the Antelope Valley, Orange County and Riverside County."

"In November, California voters approved a $19.9-billion transportation bond measure, hailed as a major milestone.

But the planning studies put the bill for keeping congestion in check at $140 billion in the next 30 years for six Southern California counties."

FULL STORY: Needed by 2050: decked freeways, tunnels, tolls, trains

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 in The Los Angeles Times

Infrastructure Transportation California

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