Assemblymember Lieu, Senator Oropeza Introduce Bill to Connect Green Line to LAX

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and Senator Jenny Oropeza (D-Carson) today introduced AB 889, a bill that would create a Green Line Construction Authority, with the sole purpose of connecting the MTA Green Line to Los Angeles International Airport.

Currently, the Green Line stops 1 mile short of the airport, turns South, and stops in Redondo Beach.  Since it was built, South Bay residents have not-so-lovingly referred to it as the “Train to Nowhere.”

“It’s time to fix this embarrassment,” Lieu said.  “With the passage of the infrastructure bonds, there’s plenty of money available, if MTA will step up to the plate.  We’re going to make sure they do that.”

AB 889 would create in state law a single-purpose Green Line Construction Authority, similar to an entity that was created for the Expo Line.  The Authority would have its own executive board, and would be able to bring together federal, state, and local dollars to construct the Green Line.

“Extending a key Los Angeles mass transit corridor to one of the nation’s busiest airports is a no-brainer,” said Oropeza, who chaired the Assembly Transportation Committee for two years and spent five years as a board member for the county’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “Voters have clearly made transportation improvements a priority. I am hopeful this will help raise public awareness about this much-needed project.”

Lieu and Oropeza are partnering on this bill with LA City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who represents the airport and the surrounding areas.  The three, along with Congresswoman Jane Harman and LA County Supervisor Don Knabe, have formed the “Green Line Coalition,” an organization of elected officials to promote the completion of the Line.

“For too long, the Westside has suffered from severe traffic gridlock and insufficient public transportation,” Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl said. “Extending the Green Line to LAX would be a huge step toward building a much-needed rail network on the Westside and freeing our streets and highways from traffic congestion."

For more information on AB 889, please visit www.assembly.ca.gov/lieu or www.greenlinecoalition.com.