Waxman's Letter to MTA About Westside Subway

The following is a letter Rep. Henry A. Waxman sent to the Metro Board, dated April 12.

Mr. Arthur T. Leahy
Chief Executive Officer
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, California 90012

Dear Mr. Leahy:

As a strong proponent of the Westside Subway Extension, I write to request the Metro Board's careful consideration of the Century City station location as it reviews the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the project.

As you know, subway safety has been a top priority of mine. I have heard a great deal of concern from the Beverly Hills community about the proposed Century City station at Constellation Boulevard, because of the possible safety risks involved with tunneling under Beverly Hills High School. The City of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Unified School District have commissioned independent studies and made a strong case that the route poses safety risks and would be less desirable for cost, speed and ridership. These concerns must be weighed carefully alongside the study commissioned by Metro, which identifies serious seismic concerns for alternate station locations on Santa Monica Boulevard.

I appreciate your assurances that safety is Metro's number one consideration. Safety should remain the top concern as the Metro Board evaluates the EIS/EIR and the Century City station. I would urge the Metro Board to only chose a route that would require tunneling under the school if there is a definitive conclusion that it is the safest alternative.

With kind regards,

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Member of Congress 

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