The
Friends of Southern California's Highways
advocate realistic, practical solutions to
traffic congestion in the Southern California
Region (Counties of Ventura, Los Angeles,
Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial).
Today,
our transportation system is forced to carry
the traffic loads of the 21st Century on
infrastructure that for the most part was
built and designed a half-century ago.
It should be no wonder that traffic
congestion is a daunting part of our everyday
lives. Traffic congestion is a
solvable problem but it will require some
expensive and controversial solutions.
Our
group believes that:
1. The
Regional Freeway System is the backbone of
the area's transportation grid and must be
expanded to meet the 21st Century needs of
commuters, tourists, and freight movement.
2. Having an
effective transportation system is important
to the region's ability to attract and keep
good jobs, enjoy good air quality, and a high
level of mobility.
3. Mass
Transit should be provided for those who need
and/or want to use it. However,
funding for transit should be based on
realistic ridership projections.
4.
Insufficient transportation funding is also a
serious problem and hinders proper
maintenance and expansion of the system.
We need our fair share of federal and state
funding, vehicle-use taxes dedicated to roads
only, and exploration of other ideas such as
toll roads and per-mileage fees.
We
welcome everyone who has an interest in
mobility in Southern California and who
believes in the statement above.
Traffic congestion is a solvable problem and
it is time for something to be done.
