The next mayor’s plans to relieve Los Angeles’ traffic congestion

We don’t know yet who the next mayor of Los Angeles will be, but we do know who the leading candidates are and each one of them has put forward plans detailing how they intend to manage LA’s awful traffic congestion. You hate your commute? Here’s what each has in mind to help, in thumbnail form:

Eric Garcetti – Mr. Garcetti specified that he would initiate or complete 10 rail projects, including one through the Sepulveda Pass. He is also in favor of digging a subway tunnel beneath Beverly Hills High, which is being fought by the school. Also on the docket: road upgrades and new bike lanes.

Wendy Greuel – Not a whole lot of specifics yet from Ms. Greuel, just a bland promise to “spend transportation dollars wisely.” As City Controller she certainly has insights into the budgeting process, and she has in the past sponsored ideas like prohibiting road construction during rush hour. But still… no specifics.

Kevin James – Mr. James favors adding right turn signals at busy intersections: this limits the amount of time pedestrians can cross and allows turning cars to get out of the way of traffic. Band-aid for a gutshot patient? Not sure how that plan affects the pedestrians…

Jan Perry – Ms. Perry offered efficiency-based solutions, including taking bus stops off the street, synchronizing lights, and designating strict no-parking areas. She offered UCLA’s master plan as a specific strategy to emulate.

Emanuel Pleitez – Small ball, rather than larger infrastructure projects, is the name of Mr. Pleitez’s game. Expansion and optimization of bus service and new car-sharing programs were two items he highlighted, while acknowledging that time is of the essence: “We need solutions today.”

What do you think… any end in sight to our nightmarish LA commutes?

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