By Steve Seauzillo
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
In a quest to divide $3.3 billion in future transportation improvement dollars, San Gabriel Valley cities are slipping into a battle pitting the haves in the north against the have-nots in the south.
The influential San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments has listed $1.02 billion for extension of the Gold Line light-rail in the foothills from the Azusa/Glendora border to Claremont in the north, while the Gold Line Eastside extension, in the south, would get $246 million.
Even though the preliminary rail formula goes before the regional agency’s governing board May 21, the staff proposal drew fire last week from transportation committee member and South El Monte City Councilman Joe Gonzales, who heads up a coalition of southern cities supporting the 6.9-mile rail extension from Atlantic/Pomona boulevards to South El Monte that parallels the 60 Freeway.
“I don’t think $246 million is enough,” Gonzales said. “The foothill cities are getting $1 billion. Where is the equity as compared to the south San Gabriel Valley cities?”
Other members were cautious not to enter a north-south fray, saying the 31 cities representing nearly 2 million residents must stand together or risk losing future transit funds.
“We need to demonstrate we are united. I don’t want to get into this south versus north,” said transportation vice-chairman and Claremont City Councilman Sam Pedroza.
The argument exposed an embarrassing history that the regional agency doesn’t want to repeat.
Read full coverage of the story here.