Project passes several important milestones. (Alameda corridor).

One of the best things about serving as Chairman of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) Governing Board is representing the agency and the project at public events. It is truly an honor because the project is providing so many benefits to our nation, Southern California, local communities and individual businesses and residents.

On August 21, I had the privilege of serving as the master of ceremonies at the dedication of the Redondo Junction Grade Separation - one of ACTA's more important projects. I was honored to welcome U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Maria Contreras-Sweet as our special guests.

Completion of that project was one of the many major milestones in recent months as the Alameda Corridor remains on budget and on schedule to open next April. This is an especially exciting time for ACTA because we are rapidly approaching completion. For example:

* Excavation of the 10-mile-long Mid-Corridor Trench, the centerpiece of the project and it single biggest contract, was completed in September. Two sets of railroad tracks in the trench are scheduled to be in place by the end of 2001.

* All 30 traffic overpasses over the Mid-Corridor Trench have been opened. These bridges reconnect communities previously split by multiple at-grade railroad crossings, thereby easing traffic congestion.

* The Redondo Junction Grade Separation project carries Amtrak and Metrolink trains over the Alameda Corridor mainlines, other cargo rail lines and street traffic. The structure, almost a mile long, means cars, trucks and freight trains no longer have to wait for passenger trains to pass - a significant improvement to the flow of passenger traffic into and out of Los Angeles.

* Our job development, business outreach and Conservation Corps programs are meeting their goals and providing direct benefits to Corridor Communities and local residents and businesses. For example, 1,000 local residents are receiving job training.

On behalf of the ACTA Governing Board, I want to thank the corridor communities for their continued support of the project and reaffirm our commitment to delivering the project on time and on budget.

If there is anything we can to assist you regarding the Alameda Corridor project please do not hesitate to call the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. We are here to serve you. The phone number is [phone].

Frank A. Colonna is Chairman of the Board of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. A Long Beach City Councilman since 1998, he joined the board in 2000 after serving as an alternate for two years. Colonna was elected board chairman for the year that began in July. Colonna is a real estate broker and former Director of Environmental Health for the City of Long Beach.