A big 'F' for SoCal traffic

[question everything]

A big 'F' for SoCal traffic

By Lisa Mascaro and Kerry Cavanaugh, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

Southern California's traffic-choked freeways finally got the failing grade they deserved, while other indicators reflected a declining quality of life, an annual report card released Thursday showed.

The "State of the Region" report by the Southern California Association of Governments also gave Ds in education and housing. The region received Bs a "moderately good" rating for employment and safety and Cs for income and air quality.

The report was released on the same day that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a multibillion-dollar bond issue to help pay for freeway and infrastructure improvements needed to cope with the state's anticipated growth.

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In giving traffic a failing grade it's received Ds since 2000 SCAG officials cited the 93 hours that commuters waste in congestion each year, the lack of new roadways and the lagging use of mass transit.

(snip).

Despite an economic recovery and a modest 2 percent gain in household income, the quality of life continues to deteriorate because of gridlocked highways and skyrocketing housing prices, officials said. In housing, despite the biggest building boom in 15 years local governments permitted 93,200 residential units, twice as many as in 1998 home ownership remains out of reach for many.

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:Lisa Mascaro, can be reached at [phone]

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_3375324

[Make7]

1. But the weather gets an A+.

Seriously though, the F for traffic is well deserved. The freeway system around downtown LA is one the best examples of "things to be avoided if at all possible".

-Make7