The Metro Gold Line Extension Construction Authority, Skanska and AECOM will be receiving the “Best Project in Southern California, Highways/Bridges” from Engineering News-Record for the Gold Line Bridge today, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.
This is the fifth award received for the bridge since it was completed on time and on budget in December 2012. Awards have been in both the engineering and construction sectors.
Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian says the awards “remind us that this unique structure was not only a challenge to design, but also to build. Congratulations to Skanska and AECOM for their hard work on making our vision a reality, and for being recognized for your achievement.”
Meanwhile, Balian noted Congressman Adam Schiff’s letter in response to last week’s Los Angeles Times Editorial highlighting the importance of a regional approach to any future transportation tax measure.
Re “More taxes for more transit?,” Editorial, Nov. 24
When voters approved Measure R in 2008, it allowed our region to move forward on transportation improvements that benefited all of Los Angeles County.
The half-cent sales tax increase changed L.A.’s landscape drastically, with a new dedicated busway, new light-rail connections and other major projects in the pipeline, including the Expo Line’s extension to Santa Monica, the first half of the Gold Line extension to Azusa and the Crenshaw light-rail line to LAX.
As Metro weighs a new tax measure, it must appeal to voters throughout the county. Asking them to approve any new tax or an extension of the existing tax, if it primarily benefits only one area or city, would be inequitable and risk the high level of support necessary for passage.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has already reached out to all of the communities in the county to make a regionally balanced list of projects for a new tax measure. This approach will be critical to the success of any future measure.
Rep. Adam Schiff
(D-Burbank)
