Twenty-six cities in southeastern Los Angeles County, located in the area called the Gateway Cities, are working together to develop an unprecedented plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks by changing land use and transportation patterns. The plan, called a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), is a new requirement of state law adopted in 2008, known as SB 375.
The Gateway Cities SCS is under development and is expected to be finalized in June. The plan compiles city, county, and regional strategies in three categories. The first category, transportation projects, includes bicycle and pedestrian improvements, such as separated bike lanes, intersection improvements, and traffic signal synchronization.
The second category, land use changes, involves denser development near existing or planned transit stations. Examples can be seen on Long Beach Boulevard in Long Beach, along the Metro Blue Line.
The third category is known to planners as TDM, or travel demand management. This refers to programs like shortened work weeks and employer-sponsored ride sharing, which enable commuters to use their personal cars less often while still getting to and from work.
Additionally, a public information session about the SCS will be offered on Tuesday, May 3, at the Mark Twain Library, 1401 East Anaheim St., from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.