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Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board June 29 adopted a bus rapid transit (BRT) and light-rail transit (LRT) project identified in a draft environmental report as the locally preferred alternative for the city’s mid-city and westside areas.



The Wilshire Boulevard BRT would run 13.2 miles from the subway’s Red Line Wilshire/Western Station to downtown Santa Monica. Initially, buses would operate in mixed traffic until MTA could demonstrate the line’s effectiveness. Then MTA would need to get communities along the route to agree to set up a dedicated lane for the buses to run in during peak hours.



MTA plans to begin construction in 2003 and open the busline in 2005.



The 9.1-mile Exposition LRT extension would operate on the Exposition right of way from downtown Los Angeles to Venice/Robertson in Culver City, and include 10 stations.



However, unless MTA obtains additional funds, construction won’t begin until 2008 and the line would open in 2014.



Currently, both projects are eligible for funds from Gov. Gray Davis’ $258 million Traffic Congestion Relief Plan, as well as MTA’s usual state and local funding sources.