Thousands of Neighbors, Business Owners, and Community Organizations Support Zero-Emission Aerial Transit in Downtown Los Angeles
April 21, 2022
LOS ANGELES—With Earth Day just around the corner, Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit (LA ART) announced over 5,100 supporters have signed up in support of the proposed zero-emission aerial transit connection between Union Station and Dodger Stadium. Since the project was announced in 2018, LA ART has spoken with thousands of households and met with dozens of community organizations, transportation and environmental advocacy groups who support this sustainable urban transit solution.
“We are encouraged by the overwhelming support and thoughtful feedback the project has received,” said Jennifer Rivera with LA ART. “This innovative mobility project will be an iconic and much-needed addition to LA’s transportation network as our city becomes a model for smart, clean and accessible transportation.”
Organizational support for LA ART includes the Chinatown BID, Los Angeles Building and Construction Trades, Breathe SoCal, Los Angeles Business Council, Latino Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce, Climate Resolve, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Central City Association, and the Chinese Benevolent Association.
“The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state,” said Marc Carrel, President & CEO of Breathe Southern California.“LA ART project presents an innovative first- last mile transit solution that can play a critical role to help our region meet its climate reduction goals, reduce air pollution, and improve the lung health of Southern Californians.”
LA ART would provide the first permanent transit connection to Dodger Stadium. The system could move up to 5,000 people per hour per direction, with goals to transport 8,000 to 10,000 fans to Dodger Stadium in the two hours before the start of a game or event. Rather than sitting in traffic, fans will enjoy a scenic ride from downtown to Dodger Stadium in just seven minutes.
By eliminating tens of thousands of game-day car trips to Dodger Stadium every season, LA ART could greatly improve the flow of traffic and reduce the impacts of congestion on nearby freeways and surrounding areas, improving the game-day experience for neighbors, fans and visitors. Using the latest technology, the aerial transit system will have zero emissions and will help improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to improving traffic before and after games, LA ART will provide community benefits outside of game-time periods as well. Last year LA ART announced a Community Access Program that would allow local residents and employees of businesses close to LA ART to ride the gondola using their LA Metro fare at no additional cost.
“There is no question this project will benefit the local community,” said Martin Farfan, president of Cathedral High School, which is located along the proposed gondola route. “The LA ART project could make it easier for Cathedral High School students to access public transit and improve traffic around the school and community on game days.”
“Living in downtown Los Angeles, I worry about the impact that cars and traffic have on my health and quality of life,” said Inez Gomez, resident of William Mead Homes. “The LA ART project just makes sense. It would have a dramatic impact on game day traffic in the neighborhood. Saving time and frustration for fans and neighbors.”
More than 340 business in Chinatown, El Pueblo, and Lincoln Heights have signed up to support the project. “Chinatown is home to many unique and diverse small businesses that were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Icy Zheng, owner of Eighty Eight Hair Salon.“We are glad to be welcoming visitors back after a difficult few years and are excited to work with LA ART to find ways to encourage Dodger fans to visit Chinatown before taking the gondola to a baseball game.”
In 2018, Metro accepted LA ART’s proposal to the Office of Extraordinary Innovation and agreed to act as the lead agency for the EIR under the California Environmental Quality Act. Metro issued the Notice of Preparation for the EIR in October 2020 which began the public environmental review process. The Draft EIR is expected to be released in summer 2022.
For more information about LA ART visit www.LAART.la
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Download the full press release here.