L.A. Seeks Federal Help for Rail Lines
BY TAMARA AUDI
LOS ANGELESThree decades is a long time to wait for a train. So Los Angeles is asking the federal government for help in borrowing $9 billion to speed construction of 12 new mass-transit rail lines.
With Washington’s backing, city officials say they could make a dramatic improvement to public transportation in just 10 yearsincluding a dreamy-sounding Subway to the Seaafter decades of stalled attempts to equip the sprawling metro area with a comprehensive public-transportation system.
If the plan succeeds, it could create a novel way to accelerate big locally funded projects around the country.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa insists …
