FREEWAYS RUN SHORT ON FUNDS OFFICIALS COMPLAIN STATE STIFFING SOUTHLAND DRIVERS.

Byline: SUE DOYLE and HARRISON SHEPPARD

Staff Writers

WESTWOOD -- Saying Los Angeles County is getting stiffed on voter- approved transportation funding, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday stepped onto traffic-choked Wilshire Boulevard and urged drivers to call Sacramento to push for change.

At stake is about $1.8 billion that L.A. transit officials want for projects to relieve the region's infamous gridlock -- including money for a northbound 405 Freeway car-pool lane into the San Fernando Valley.

The California Transportation Commission is meeting today to hold a public hearing on the list of proposed statewide projects, a meeting Villaraigosa and other local officials will attend.

Funds would come from Proposition 1B, a $19.9 billion transportation bond that sailed through with voter approval last year.

But the county could fall drastically short of its $1.8 billion request after the commission last week said the region could instead get just $327 million. The state panel is set to vote on the proposal Feb. 28.

"No matter how you cut it, this proposal leaves Los Angeles commuters severely shortchanged," Villaraigosa said during a press conference outside the Westwood Federal Building beside a delegation of other city and county officials.

Afterward, he darted into and out of traffic on Wilshire as the signal changed, handing out yellow fliers to drivers with the heading, "CALLING ALL LOS ANGELES COMMUTERS!"

"We were promised traffic relief. We voted for the bond," the fliers read. "And we are paying for it."

At first, most motorists appeared bewildered at the sight of a man in a suit trailed by a gaggle of cameramen in the middle of traffic -- until they recognized the mayor and his trademark smile.

On Friday, the Transportation Commission announced nearly $2.8 billion worth of recommendations for 43 projects using Proposition 1B funds.

With the measure approved last year, $4.5 billion was allocated to ease heavily congested roadways. Under that, the commission recommended $327 million for the region, a far cry from the $1.8 billion the Metropolitan Transportation Authority wanted.

Caltrans endorsed $1.5 billion of the MTA's request to help pay for highway projects countywide.

On Monday, officials argued that the region -- where nearly one-third of the state lives -- is not getting its fair share of the money. Home to two major sea ports, Southern California takes on the additional burden of heavy truck traffic that arrives from all parts of the country.

"We're going to have to win," said MTA board chairwoman and county Supervisor Gloria Molina. "We're going to change their minds, and we will bring back our fair share."

The commission's proposal excludes funding for the proposed 10-mile-long 405 Freeway car-pool lane between the 10 and 101 freeways.

Commission staffers said they rejected the 405 project because its construction date was unclear in the application. They interpreted it to read 2011 -- or later than other projects seeking funding.

MTA officials, however, said that was a misinterpretation and that the project is slated to begin in 2009. It has received $130 million in federal funds, which could be jeopardized if construction begins later than planned.

Commission Executive Director John Barna said the commissioners were working from written documents submitted by the MTA and Caltrans.

Michael Turner, MTA government relations manager, said the commission's proposals don't stretch far enough for other projects, like widening the 5 Freeway to 10 lanes in southern L.A. County. The freeway spans 10 lanes in Orange County and squeezes down to six when drivers cross the county line.

Officials asked for $387 million for the expansion and instead could receive $157 million -- not enough to keep the project going, Turner said.

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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Fixing the 405

The 405 Freeway has gone through various makeovers and funding incarnations over the past 17 years:

1990 -- The 101-405 intersection is named the nation's fourth-busiest freeway interchange.

1997 -- The Daily News publishes a series showing that state transportation officials considered the interchange a low priority.

January 1998 -- Caltrans proposes solutions to ease congestion, including widening the northbound 405 by one lane, adding a lane to the transition ramp of the 405 to the eastbound 101 and reconfiguring the northbound 405 on-ramp at Sepulveda Boulevard.

December 1998 -- The state gives the 101-405 interchange projects funding priority.

January 2002 -- The southbound 405 car-pool lane over the Sepulveda Pass opens.

December 2002 -- Caltrans opens a new lane on the northbound 405, adding extra capacity on the downhill slope toward the 101.

January 2006 -- After an intense political fight, the federal government agrees to spend $130 million for the northbound 405 car-pool lane, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs a bill to start construction by 2009 so the state won't lose the time-sensitive federal dollars.

February -- California transportation officials recommend against budgeting the northbound 405 car-pool lane, possibly jeopardizing federal matching funds that must be spent in two years.

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Photo:

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa steps into Wilshire Boulevard traffic Monday to hand out fliers urging action on traffic funding. Local officials want motorists to call and e-mail state traffic commissioners to secure the region's share of Proposition 1B funds.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

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Fixing the 405 (see text)