Competitors unite for a unique project.

Reflecting the extensive cooperation among competitors, the Alameda Corridor was built by a joint powers authority formed by the cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Recognizing the need for a cooperative effort, the jurisdictions formed the Consolidated Transportation Corridor Joint Powers Authority in 1989 to develop a project to improve the movement of rapidly increasing cargo volumes. In 1991, the name of the agency was changed to the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) to reflect the location of the project parallel to Alameda Street for much of its route. In 1997, the size of the board was reduced from 15 members to seven members.

"The ports have been strong competitors for years, but they were quite far-sighted in recognizing that a partnership would benefit not only the ports, but the entire region, the state and the nation," said Long Beach City Councilman Frank A. Colonna, Chairman of the ACTA Governing Board.

Said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Vice Chairwoman of the ACTA Governing Board: "We owe a debt of gratitude to the people who came before us and made the commitment to a coordinated, comprehensive effort to improve the flow of containers to and from the ports irrespective of geographic boundaries."

The seven-member Governing Board includes two representatives each from the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles, one representative each from the Long Beach City Council and Los Angeles City Council, and one representative from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The chairmanship rotates between the representatives from the two City Councils.

Membership on the board has changed several times over the years--a function of term limits on the City Councils and personnel changes at the Ports. But the commitment of the Governing Board remained unchanged: to complete the Alameda Corridor project on time and on budget with minimal disruption to the public.

ACTA Chief Executive Officer James C. Hankla said the singular focus of the Governing Board is a big reason from the project's success as a model efficient public works planning and construction.

"Over the course of my career, I have worked for and with many public-sector boards, and the ACTA Governing Board is one of the most focused, no-nonsense boards I have been privileged to serve," Hankla said.