L.A. poised to lose $100 million in state grants to fund transportation projects
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Los Angeles appears poised to lose in its attempt to keep $100 million in state grant funding for transportation projects in some of the neediest neighborhoods after a state commission declined to hear the city’s appeal for an extension.The state grants came with deadlines for work to be completed, which city officials have said they were unable to meet because of budget and staffing cuts in the city’s engineering, transportation and other departments.City officials said they sought an extension, which the state transportation commission didn’t consider at its meeting this month.Mayor Karen Bass’ office said the problem dates back to before her election in 2022.
“This issue is emblematic of the failed and broken systems that Mayor Bass inherited and is fixing with comprehensive solutions like her Capital Infrastructure Program (CIP),” her office said.“Once fully implemented, Mayor Bass’ CIP will enable Los Angeles to properly plan, track, fund and deliver on multi-year projects like Active Transportation Projects with greater accountability, clarity, and purpose.” California Transportation Commission officials didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on the denial of the extension, which was reported earlier by LAist.The grant money would have funded projects in Boyle Heights, the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles and Wilmington.“Opportunities like this come once in a generation,” said former City Councilmember Kevin De Leon, who helped secure the funding when he was on the council.
“To lose that funding because deadlines were missed and shortage of staffing is nothing short of political malpractice.” State Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles), said he has been working with the state and the city in hopes of restoring the grant funding.“Over the last couple of months, I have spent countless hours coordinating with the city and ...