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Plans for Transportation Equity Act’s third generation (TEA-3) are progressing: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta met Sept. 9 with more than 170 transportation leaders from Southern California while Congress and the Bush Administration prepare to develop TEA-3’s new provisions.



"With this unique forum, we have brought together Southern California’s transportation leaders to provide Secretary Mineta with the opportunity to hear more about the many transportation challenges our region faces, as well as the opportunities to address those challenges if adequate funding is available," said Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, according to a prepared statement. (Millender-McDonald is the region’s primary representative on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which will consider the TEA-3 next year.)



Transportation representatives from San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Ventura and Los Angeles counties presented Mineta and elected officials lists of their priorities:



• San Bernardino requested dedicated and separated truck lanes, grade separations and freeway interchange improvements;

• Riverside cited the need to construct four new transportation corridors linking population and job centers;

• Orange requested $2.4 billion for specified highway, street and parking needs;

• Ventura asked lawmakers to maintain the funding levels guaranteed in TEA-21, as well as provide funds for intermodal access improvements, Piru Creek Railroad Bridge restoration and fiber-optic cable installation; and

• Los Angeles requested funds to extend light rail to Exposition Park, and asked that $157 million of unused TEA-21 funds be re-appropriated for the Red Line extension for which it originally had been intended. Meanwhile, Councilman Hal Berson asked for continued funds for a Bus Rapid Transit program and $912 million for Eastside rail.



Congress is expected to begin debate over TEA-3’s provisions early next year.