By Jason Islas
Lookout Staff

January 10, 2012 -- Despite recent construction delays on the first phase of the Expo Light Rail line project to Culver City, the second phase to Santa Monica will go ahead as scheduled, bringing the light rail to the beachside city in 2015.

However, the recent California Supreme Court decision to ax redevelopment agencies (RDA) means that Santa Monica will have to look at how to pay for its contribution – three per cent – to the construction costs, City officials said.

Construction of Phase I ran into some "technical problems" that will delay the opening of the first segment of the Expo Line to La Cienega Boulevard, according to a recent report in the Pasadena Star-News. The opening, scheduled for last November, won't take place for about three months.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials told The Lookout that the project has had to deal with some setbacks, specifically in the Downtown Los Angeles area, where the tracks cross the Blue Line running from Long Beach to Los Angeles.

But the delays will have no effect on Phase II, which is on schedule, said Marc Littman, a Metro spokesperson. “Phase II is completely independent,” Littman said.

Spanning Culver City, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica, Phase II will run from Robertson Boulevard to Downtown Santa Monica and will cost approximately $1.5 billion dollars.

The final phase, which includes several capital improvement projects in Santa Monica, begins construction this year after work crews began pre-construction on and under the city's streets last June.

How the City would address the loss of RDA funds will be dealt with on a project by project basis, said Kate Vernez, Deputy City Manager for Special Projects. She added that the City will likely have a more detailed strategy by February.

One thing the loss of RDA funds would not affect are the proposed station improvements in Santa Monica, City officials said.

In December, the City Council approved up to $9.5 million from the general fund to be spent to improve the basic designs of the three stations in Santa Monica.

The lion's share of the money – $6.7 million – will go to Bergamont Station, Expo's first stop in Santa Monica.

Metro's original design at Bergamont Station only called one platform. The improved design will have two platforms in order to help facilitate easier pedestrian crossing, according to City staff.

“The recommendations prioritize functionality, safety and access, and advance Santa Monica’s integrated land use and circulation priorities established in the General Plan,” according to the staff report from the December 14 Council meeting.

Like other California cities, Santa Monica will have to reevaluate many of its capital projects after California's Supreme Court upheld Governor Jerry Brown's move to ax redevelopment agencies throughout the state.

Under the December 29 ruling, 400 redevelopment agencies (RDAs) will close by February 1 and their municipalities will lose those funds, which in Santa Monica could jeopardize as much as $300 million worth of capital projects, including those related to the Expo line.