TRANSIT PLAN UNDER FIRE; ANTONOVICH WANTS ADDITIONAL SPENDING, RALLIES OPPOSITION TO DAVIS PROPOSAL.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich wants local state legislators to oppose Gov. Gray Davis' $17.2 billion transportation plan because it does not include money for improvements to the Antelope Valley Freeway.

In letters sent to Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, and state Sen. W.J. ``Pete'' Knight, R-Palmdale, Antonovich complained of the lack of funding for the freeway and Pearblossom Highway, roads he said are needed if Palmdale's airport is to be expanded for passengers.

``A glaring and unacceptable omission from the governor's transportation program is the complete absence of any funds for the Antelope Valley Freeway and Highway 138,'' Antonovich said in his letters.

The transportation proposal would provide $500 million in one-time road maintenance money and $17.2 billion in proposed projects for counties all over California, providing some with more funding than required based on their population and traffic figures, and others with much less.

Previously, a specific formula had been used to determine the proper amount of funding based on figures affecting transportation, but, according to the California State Legislature Assembly Republican Caucus, the formula was not used in determining spending for the package, which neglected the two Antelope Valley highways.

``(Antonovich) wants to make sure that in Gov. Davis' spending priorities there is money for improving safety conditions on Highways 14 and 138,'' said Cam Currier, press deputy for Antonovich. ``When talking about public safety in these two areas, he is quite concerned that these upgrades be included in the governor's budget.''

Runner had not yet seen the letter from Antonovich but had begun developing plans to obtain money for the road improvements from existing gas tax revenue.

Antonovich has supported upgrades and safety precautions for the two highways. He was instrumental in stepping up patrols and implementing the headlight safety program for Pearblossom Highway, and in supporting a proposal to open up the car-pool lanes to all traffic on the Antelope Valley Freeway during off-peak hours.

Knight agrees with Antonovich, and will not support the governor's transportation package in its present form, an aide said Thursday.

``He doesn't agree with the plan at all, especially, and specifically, with the lack of funding for Highway 138,'' said Chris Burns, Knight's legislative director.

``There's a backlog of projects, and the money is there; they just don't want to use it,'' Burns said.

The state transportation commission has budgeted $9.2 million to extend high-occupancy-vehicle lanes from San Fernando Road to the Golden State Freeway by fall 2001, and $33 million to extend them from Escondido Canyon Road to the Pearblossom Highway exit around December 2002.

Caltrans is also designing car-pool lanes from Pearblossom Highway to Avenue P-8, but it is about $22 million short of the expected $28.3 million construction cost.

Beyond finishing the car-pool lanes, there are no plans to widen the freeway.