LA transit officials find $43.6 million in fund that 'fell through the cracks'

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Podcasts Take Two

May 10, 2013

Listen • 6:14

LA transit officials find $43.6 million in fund that 'fell through the cracks'

The millions are a welcome find in a time of economic tightening but now officials are wondering if more funds are languishing elsewhere.

Drivers fill the 110 freeway during afternoon rush-hour on January 9, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. In a reversal of opinion held eight months ago, Los Angeles County transportation officials this week announced a controversial plan to set up rush-hour toll lanes on local freeways by spring 2009. Officials hope to win $648 million in federal grant moneys for the toll lanes and various transportation fixes after missing out on more than $1 billion in 2007 for not backing the conversions. The first phase will convert car pool lanes to toll lanes on 85 miles of the 110, 210, and 10 freeways. The second phase will add build on the 10 and 210, as well as the 60, east from Los Angeles to San Bernardino County line. Los Angeles has historically resisted toll roads, opting to use road taxes instead to maintain freeways and keep them available for drivers of all income levels.

The millions are a welcome find in a time of economic tightening but now officials are wondering if more funds are languishing elsewhere.

You know that small but oddly large thrill that comes when you find an extra fiver in your jacket pocket that you forgot was there? Well, the city of LA just found a tad more than that in a department of transportation fund.

$43.6 million dollars, actually. It had been piling up — apparently unnoticed — for 17 years.

The millions are a welcome find in a time of economic tightening but now officials are wondering if more funds are languishing elsewhere.

Laura Nelson, transportation reporter for the LA Times, joins the show to explain.