The West Hollywood City Council on Monday unanimously endorsed Measure M, an initiative on the November ballot that would raise the sales tax countywide by .5 percent to raise money for transportation projects.

A light rail line running through West Hollywood would link passengers with the Red Line subway in Hollywood. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The vote came days after Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) CEO Phillip A. Washington sent a letter to West Hollywood Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath stating that Metro wants to have a light rail extension project through West Hollywood “shovel ready” if Measure M is approved by voters. Metro has already launched a planning study in partnership with the cities of West Hollywood and Los Angeles to evaluate possible north/south routes. The initial feasibility study is expected to be completed next June. Once that is finished, Metro wants to embark on an alternatives analysis study that would further refine a proposal for a light rail and would evaluate possible alternate routes. That study would be followed by an environmental impact report.

“We are aggressively working to get projects close to being ready … so if the opportunity comes to advance these projects, they are ready to roll,” said Pauletta Tonilas, chief communications officer for Metro. “The next step is to get these projects as close to being ready as possible.”

A light rail line through West Hollywood would connect the Expo Line to the Red Line subway in Hollywood. The route is known as the Crenshaw North Extension, and is one of four projects Metro is attempting to move forward if Measure M passes.

Measure M would increase the sales tax to 10 percent. It is expected to raise $890 million a year for transportation projects.

Metro is also looking to form public/private partnerships that could help the agency build new light rail lines more quickly. If Measure M doesn’t pass, Metro will have to look for other alternatives, Tonilas said. Failure to pass would not affect the future of the Purple Line Extension, the Crenshaw/LAX Line and the Regional Connector – all projects currently under construction.

Horvath said West Hollywood has advocated for years for a light rail line and said the letter from Washington was great news.

“We want to make sure West Hollywood has access to light rail.  Our community is very eager to get out of our cars one-by-one and get around this region, get around this city without a car,” Horvath said. “We are grateful for this commitment and we are encouraging everyone to support Measure M.”

A light rail line through West Hollywood would provide access to LAX and cities in the South Bay. It would also create new transportation options for people trying to reach Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other nearby destinations. Horvath is on a council subcommittee working with Metro on preparations for a light rail line through the area. Other West Hollywood representatives also praised the work Metro is doing to advance the project.

“As long as they are moving forward with the feasibility study, the alignment study and the EIR, it means we have made some progress and they are seriously trying to implement the Crenshaw Northern Extension,” West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister said.

West Hollywood city officials hope a light rail project through the area could be ready for construction to start by 2020, although no timeline has been established.