Five o'clock on a workday and you're about to pull into traffic: Let's hope you're not in a hurry, especially if you're on the Westside of Los Angeles.
Times editors asked the six candidates in the Los Angeles City Council's 5th District race about their ideas for easing traffic problems in that part of town. Here are excerpts from their answers to this question:
What concrete proposals will you pursue to reduce traffic congestion in the 5th Council District?
Adeena N. Bleich: "We need an updated transportation system that is comprehensive and created by experts. . . .
"We will have trains to the sea and throughout the city, and I will fight to get those projects completed sooner than current projections. . . . We must make it easier and less stressful to go those shorter distances between major shopping and business centers by growing the DASH [shuttle bus] program in the 5th District and other areas of the city. . . .
"I will implement public education programs such as "Council on the Bus," where I will set an example by riding the bus as well as hold constituent ride-alongs to show how easy, safe and convenient the bus can be."
Ron Galperin: "The Westside and Valley have among the worst traffic congestion in the city. This problem seems almost hopeless because we keep electing a revolving door of candidates from City Hall staff or Sacramento legislators to fix this when only new ideas and fresh thinking get the job done. . . .
"Mass transit: Let's start digging today! We can't afford to wait another four years -- or more -- to start the Westside extension of the subway. Let's create a link from the Orange Line [busway] in the Valley to the subway in Westwood, to the extended Exposition Line and finally to LAX."
Paul Koretz: "Some of my priorities will be: expanding public transit. I have been a strong supporter of light rail and heavy rail where appropriate, like along the Wilshire Corridor. I will work to extend the subway line along and to complete the Expo Line and to connect the Green Line to LAX.
"A world-class bus system. . . . The Orange Line dedicated busway in the Valley has been a huge success.
"Encouraging ride sharing. . . . Streamlining traffic. Measure R contains funding for traffic signal synchronization and upgrading and repairing roads and bridges and the creation of left turn lanes, all of which can help increase road capacity.
