Remarks by Secretary Slater on the Announcement of U.S. 101 Corridor Planning Study

Rodney E. Slater, United States Secretary of Transportation
October 27, 1998

REMARKS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RODNEY E. SLATER
ANNOUNCEMENT OF U.S. 101 CORRIDOR PLANNING STUDY
SHERMAN OAKS, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 27, 1998

Last week, President Clinton signed a budget bill which continues to protect the surplus until we have reformed Social Security, even as we continue to invest in education, protect the environment, and pursue other national priorities. I thank you, Congressman Brad Sherman, for your contributions to reaching a budget agreement which makes sense for the American people.

I’m also glad to see Assemblyman Wally Knox, who has made improving the 101 corridor one of his priorities; Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who is such a strong advocate for transportation throughout Los Angeles County; and Tony Harris, who keeps CalTrans among the nation’s transportation leaders. Thank you all for joining us.

"The Clinton-Gore Administration is awarding California $500,000 towards a study of how best to improve traffic along this part of the 101 corridor. I want to thank Congressman Brad Sherman for proposing this study; without his determined advocacy and leadership, I can say that it wouldn’t exist."

The economic recovery we’ve seen over the past five years has produced the best economy in a generation, with low unemployment, low inflation, and nearly 17 million new jobholders. And sometimes it seems as if all 17 million of them live here in the San Fernando Valley and commute on U.S. 101.

The 101-405 interchange we see below us is one of the worst bottlenecks. It has the fourth-heaviest traffic in Southern California, with some of the worst congestion in the country. This congestion puts Californians’ safety at risk, it worsens air pollution, it costs businesses untold millions of dollars in delays, and it robs commuters of precious time with their families.

Congressman Sherman came to me and asked us to help, and that’s why I’m here today. Today, I’m pleased to tell you that the Clinton-Gore Administration is awarding California $500,000 towards a study of how best to improve traffic along this part of the 101 corridor.

The study will explore a variety of options, from road widenings to express bus lanes to expanded transit. It will recommend realistic options that make sense for busy lives in a complex world. I want to thank Congressman Sherman for proposing this study; without his determined advocacy and leadership, I can say that it wouldn’t exist.

The study is the essential first step towards making the improvements this corridor needs to avoid gridlock. Those improvements will be win-win propositions, and it’s clear who the biggest winners will be: the people of the San Fernando Valley and this entire region, who will have better transportation and stronger economic growth, without more congestion and pollution.

We’re proud to be your partners in maintaining California’s role as one of America’s transportation leaders, and we look forward to continuing that partnership. This is powerful evidence President Clinton believes that, when it comes to transportation, California is on the right track.

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Source:  U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)