More than 1,000 business and government leaders met at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live on Tuesday at the major transportation summit Mobility 21 to focus on strategies for securing U.S. dollars to create local jobs. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke to the gathering about the America Fast Forward initiative as a template to leverage local sales tax dollars, accelerate the delivery of major transportation infrastructure projects, and put people back to work.
Among key issues discussed by top transportation leaders and elected officials, with keynote address by former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, was passage of a long-term federal transportation bill that would give counties flexibility to use innovative financing methods and streamline project delivery.
Villaraigosa stressed the 30/10 initiative, while Rendell stressed that America’s infrastructure needs to be maintained and upgraded in order to keep this country competitive. Villaraigosa’s press conference and comments foreshadowed President Obama’s address to Congress tonight.
More news and views on the summit in days ahead.