Overview
- Directors approved the 437-page court-ordered supplemental environmental impact report under the consent calendar without board discussion.
- A packed meeting erupted after public comment was initially delayed, leading to a one-hour comment period in which 42 of 52 speakers opposed the project.
- Recertification allows Zero Emissions Transit to pursue permits from the State Parks Commission, Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration and the city, with the Los Angeles City Council expected to take up land-use decisions next year after a traffic study.
- The City Council previously voted 12-1 to urge rejection, while Mayor Karen Bass declined to sign or veto the resolution and supported moving the process forward as a Metro board member.
- Costs were last estimated at $385 million to $500 million and the project is pitched as privately financed, yet no financing agreements have been disclosed and an updated cost estimate is expected in the spring, as supporters tout zero-emission operations and critics cite a UCLA analysis disputing traffic and emissions benefits.