25/20/2015 16:29 323-871-1326 May 20, 2016 The Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas, Chair, and Members of the Board, and Phil Washington, Chief Executive Officer Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authort 1 Gateway Plaza : ony Los Angeles, Ca 90012 Serious concems about the propased timaline for the Interstate 5 Expansion project, per the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Draft Expenditure Plan. We urge the MTA to Accelerate implementation of the project to prevent advere economic consequences to 'ocal businesses and the regional economy. between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and faciliatse trace and goods movement throughout the nation’s most populous state. The section of the Ls targeted in this The -S expansion project would provide contin highway has been widened. However, under afer the South segment will be completed. This timeline simply Provides too Ii ‘and is not compatible with Gateway businesses’ urgent need for relic? along The North segment ofthe 1-5 has become a major chokepoint that hinders freight, port, and goods movement, as well as everyday commuters. With the umber of vehicles using the Serious threat to the economic security of the region. As commute times conteue to grow, Wwe fear that jobs will leave the region, as invastment in new business operations declines and commuters with good-paying jobs choose to move to other parts of the county. ritzy 11 an annual survey released by the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), which represents the interests of 272,000 employers with 3 cilinn ‘employeesexpansion of exist Publi health and safety would also be rep ors with reduced vehi i th and. icular emissions, and sepreved ait quaity. The 5 expansion project ta Significant community support. and ts economic benefits will reach far beyond the loon economy, We urge MTA to work with local officials to find a way to bagin the project on an expedited limelina. AS was originally promised in MTA‘e 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan, thie Project should begin no later than 2020, Presta cateway Citles region's infrastructure needs: Thee expansion is the most Pressing of those needs, and we are hopefil MTA will prove to bore willing and able partner In Securing a brighter and more prosperous transit futuro te coe region. Sincerely, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Rd 5016 Passons Blvd Norwalk, CA 90650 Pico Rivera, CA 90860 Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce Bell Gardens Chamber of Commerce 12016 Telegraph Rd 7635 Perry Rd Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 Bell Gardens, CA 90201 Commerce industrial Council Chamber of Commerce 6055 E Washington Blvd #120 Commerce, CA 90040 GG Norwalk Chamber of Commerce;i 25/20/2016 16:29 393-871-1396 FEDEX OFFICE 9554 PAGE a1 Fed." Fax Cover Sheet Office 1 | Number of pages_3 finding cover age) To: From: Name Me. Phil Washing don Name Gateway Ghes—Aren Clrombers Company Mebepalitin Cars putdin HuderHeompeny 8 Comm Telephone Telephone Fax C213) 922-2 yy 2 Comments Please distribute to My Wash. or his staf and to MTA hoord members», Abeir staf mn, wR, Uy oe 1.900.463.3339 naatont 5 SISA AvnOt Pots asthe ncn SD ora