Sánchez: “We are on the cusp of delivering a long-overdue, transformational investment for the communities we represent”

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) provided public comment at the Los Angeles Metro Board Meeting in support of the West Santa Ana Branch (WSAB) project.

The West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor (WSAB) project is a 19-mile corridor that LA Metro is evaluating for a new light rail transit line that would connect southeast LA County to downtown Los Angeles and provide a one-seat ride between the City of Artesia and Union Station. Congresswoman Sánchez said Thursday that the completion of this project would provide alternatives to driving for thousands in her district who have historically lacked access to public transportation options.

Congresswoman Sánchez also cited the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) as being critical to funding more projects like the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor, expanding access to safe and reliable transportation, and taking necessary steps to curb the impacts of climate change. The BIL guarantees $8 billion, and authorizes $15 billion more in future appropriations, to invest in new high-capacity transit projects communities choose to build through the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.

Later that same morning, Congresswoman Sánchez joined a roundtable with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and members of the Los Angeles area Congressional Delegation on local infrastructure priorities. Congresswoman Sánchez urged the Department to support the West Santa Ana Branch as it implements investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and President Biden's Justice40 initiative.

Below are the remarks Congresswoman Sánchez delivered on Thursday at the Los Angeles Metro Board Meeting:

Thank you and good morning, Metro Board of Directors!

It is great to join you all today – even if virtually – to express my support for the West Santa Ana Branch project.

We are on the cusp of delivering a long-overdue, transformational investment for the communities we represent.

This project is set to begin in the heart of my district and provide a one-seat ride from Artesia to Union Station.

Despite the presence of many working families who depend on public transit, the Gateway region has historically lacked access to high-quality and reliable public transportation.

This is our opportunity to change that!

And now, with passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I was proud to support and the Biden Administration's Justice40, the West Santa Ana Branch is well positioned for robust federal funding.

Because it is an issue of environmental justice that residents of the Gateway region finally can reap the benefits of clean and affordable light rail.

It is an issue of social justice that these communities be linked together after decades of being divided by massive highways.

As the Department of Transportation implements the law, I will be proud to work with each of you to make sure we follow through and see this project to completion – all 19.3 miles from Artesia to Union Station.

Thank you, Metro Board of Directors, and staff, for your hard work to make this historic milestone possible for the communities we serve.

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