CTC delays decision for goods movement

The California Transportation Commission delayed a decision today about criteria on how to divvy up $2 billion toward the goods movement and trade corridors until Nov. 27.

The money comes from Proposition 1B, a $19.9 transportation bond voters approved last year. Traditionally the nine-member board has divided money by giving 60 percent to Southern California and the rest to the northern part of the state.

But regional transit officials say that split does not work when it comes to goods, because the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles handle 90 percent of the state's imports, and the area grapples with more than its fair share of truck traffic to accommodate cargo that's hauled across the country. They urge the governor-appointed board to reconsider its ways.

Seeking $1.7 billion for the region, transit and port officials in Los Angeles County have banded together with transportation agencies from the county of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura.

The commission met in La Quinta from Nov. 7-8.