Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has certainly fallen short with some of his ambitious agenda items (including his attempt to take over the city's school district). But when it comes to transportation, the mayor has had a dramatic, and lasting, effect.
"Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will leave office Monday with the distinction as the U.S. mayor who, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, has dramatically altered his city's approach to transportation," writes Ryan Holeywell.
"Los Angeles is in the midst of a major expansion of its transit system, which includes subway, light rail and commuter rail lines, that rivals what's being done in any other American city. It's building bike lanes and pursuing a huge bike share program that would make it one of the largest in the nation. It's experiments with congestion tolling are considered on the leading edge of transportation innovation."
"In other words, says [public transit advocate] Denny Zane, L.A.'s got some real transportation 'mojo.'"
Holeywell describes Villaraigosa's major accomplishments, including how he led the passage of Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase that will raise $40 billion for transportation projects over 30 years.
FULL STORY: Villaraigosa Leaves Office with Transportation Legacy
After Setback, L.A. Mayor Still Intent on Speeding Transit Projects
In the aftermath of the seemingly narrow defeat of his pet measure to speed up the expansion of L.A.'s transit infrastructure, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa remains unbowed in his attempts to accelerate his key initiative, writes Ari Bloomekatz.
New Price Tag for L.A's Biggest Rail Dream: $13 Billion
The Sepulveda Transit Corridor could offer tens of thousands of Los Angeles commuters an alternative to the infamously congested I-405 freeway, if local officials can find the funding.
Auto Companies Prepare for Decline of Car Ownership
It's no longer just transit agencies that are trying to meet the first mile-last mile challenge—auto companies have also jumped in by offering "mobility services." And it's more profitable than selling cars!
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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