Issue Position: Transportation and Quality of Life

Issue Position

"Transportation issues are critical to California's economy and our everyday lives. We must continue to improve roads and highways to reduce congestion and increase driver safety. It is equally important that we invest in transportation alternatives, such as light rail, which are increasingly necessary in our growing region, and will help reduce pollution and traffic congestion."

Supporting Transportation Alternatives
Rep. Adam Schiff has long supported alternate transportation alternatives projects to alleviate Los Angeles' congestion and pollution. First as a state Senator, and then as a Representative in Congress, Schiff was a leader in developing and obtaining resources for the Pasadena Gold Line, which provides light rail transit through the Foothill communities. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Schiff remains committed to providing adequate funding for transportation alternative projects that meet the needs of the populations they serve. He believes that many parts of the 28th Congressional district remain underserved by public transportation options and is committed to aggressively pursuing all avenues to ensure the benefits of accessible public transportation are more widely shared.

Improving Our Infrastructure
Investing in Los Angeles infrastructure is an important part to boosting economic growth as well as improving the quality of life. Upgrading our country's aging infrastructure will allow for the swift movement of goods and people, which is critical for our economy to remain competitive in the global economy. Since coming to Congress, Rep. Adam Schiff has worked hard to provide federal funding to local infrastructure projects.

Schiff also believes in preserving and expanding green space in our communities. He supports federal legislation such as the Community Parks and Revitalization Act, which helps to revitalize parks and park infrastructure. He is also a supporter of local projects such as the proposed 44-acre Hollywood Central Park, which would create a street- level expansion of green space over the 101 Freeway between Hollywood and Santa Monica Boulevards.

Regulating Helicopter Traffic over Residential Neighborhoods
For most Angelenos, frequent helicopter noise is a way of life, and not a welcome one. Helicopters that are used for a wide range of purposes -- from news stations, to paparazzi and law enforcement -- routinely fly at such low altitudes that they often cause extreme vibrations of homes and prevent neighborhood residents from being able to enjoy a simple conversation indoors. Rep. Schiff has led the charge on efforts to ensure that the use of helicopters near residential areas does not reduce the quality of life for LA residents.

Schiff introduced the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act, which directs the FAA to issue regulations for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County, California, that include requirements for helicopter flight paths and altitudes to reduce helicopter noise pollution in residential areas. The legislation provides for exemptions for emergency operations. Provisions of the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act were included in a 2014 funding bill and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be required to issue regulations to reduce the impact of helicopter noise on the ground within one year if voluntary measures do not prove to be successful. Schiff also continues to work with the FAA and our first responders to ensure that regulatory measures do not restrict public safety helicopters from carrying out emergency operations.

Making our Railroads Safer
Train safety has been one of Rep. Adam Schiff's priorities for several years. Train crashes -- like those in Glendale and the Metrolink crash in Chatsworth which killed 25 riders -- happen all too often. That's why Schiff authored a provision in the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 to mandate the nationwide implementation of a positive train control system (PTC) by 2015, and authorized funds to help pay for the implementation. PTC systems help bring trains to automatic stops if engineers do not comply with signals, if a train has missed signals or are slow to stop. With Schiff's support, Metrolink, Southern California's commuter rail system, became the first commuter rail system to implement PTC systems. In February 2014, Metrolink announced the launch of this state-of-the-art safety system in sections of the Southern California network -- with full implementation to be set by early 2015.

Additionally, Schiff has been a strong supporter of the Alameda Corridor East Grade Separation project in the San Gabriel Valley, which is working to reduce the number of at-grade crossings between vehicle and pedestrian traffic as well as for trains that come from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and ship goods to the rest of the country. By eliminating many at-grade crossing and making others safer, the project will make traveling in the San Gabriel Valley safer for pedestrians, drivers and trains, while also making our air cleaner and safer to breath.

Nighttime Curfew for Bob Hope Airport
Rep. Adam Schiff has long supported a mandatory nighttime curfew for Bob Hope Airport so that Burbank residents can sleep peacefully. In November 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rejected the Bob Hope Airport Authority's application for a nighttime curfew between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. at Bob Hope Airport. In June 2013, Schiff and other Southern California Members introduced the Valley-Wide Noise Relief Act that would allow Bob Hope and Van Nuys Airports to adopt nighttime curfews. Schiff offered the legislation as an amendment to Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act. The amendment achieved a strong level of support but was defeated by a narrow margin. In a subsequent meeting with the FAA Administrator, the Administrator expressed a willingness to work with Schiff on this important issue.

Schiff is continuing to work with the FAA, airports in our region and the affected communities to help achieve meaningful nighttime noise protection for the citizens of San Fernando Valley.

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