Of the many issues facing the six candidates in the 5th District City Council race in Los Angeles, none is potentially thornier than the routing of the proposed Expo Line light rail.
Should the train run along the old rail right-of-way that cuts through several residential neighborhoods between the 10 Freeway and Pico Boulevard? And, if so, should the train cross busy north-south streets or go under or over them?
Or would it be better for the rail line to run along Venice and Sepulveda boulevards?
The first leg of the Expo Line is now being built from Los Angeles to Culver City. The second phase, from Culver City to Santa Monica, is still being studied, but transit officials say construction of the $1.3-billion-plus project could begin within two years -- and that using the right-of-way would be less expensive and attract more riders.
The candidate who wins the Westside seat could have a big effect, possibly serving on the board of the Expo Line Construction Authority. The new council member could also push the city to block key approvals for the project needed from the state.
None of the candidates has taken a hard-line stance on the route, although each has their preference. The main difference is how strongly they view the need for the train to avoid street crossings along the right-of-way. Each said they believe money can be found to build underpasses, but none could identify a particular funding source.
Here is a summary of their views:
Adeena Bleich: The fiscal conservative in her believes that the existing right-of-way should be used, but she would want to look at the costs closely to see if Venice-Sepulveda might make more sense.
Bleich said that if the train uses the right-of-way, she could support street-level crossings only if "they can show the traffic impacts were low enough but, more importantly, if they can ensure that there's absolutely no way someone would be injured."
Ron Galperin: His preference would be to use the existing right-of-way because the route appears to be the most cost-effective alternative that he believes would get the most people out of their cars.
Galperin said he believes the train may have to go under or over some streets. "What I plan to do is walk each and every one of these intersections with neighbors," he said. "I think when you're on the ground . . . you get a better sense of how to do it and how to do it right."
