Measure R funds are a voted on bond measure for the county of Los Angeles for transportation projects. It has nothing to do with the state of California. The money is there. Measure R is a half-cent sales tax increase for residents of Los Angeles County that is expected to provide the local resources to finance new transportation projects and accelerate those already in the pipeline. Over the next 30 years, it is projected to generate $40 billion for congestion relief projects. Locally, from Measure R, Caltrans and other transportation agencies can anticipate funds coming in from the ½ cent sales tax beginning in July, 2009.
The LACBC reports that the 10% set aside from Measure R funds for bike and pedestrian projects has been officially confirmed, with $3.27 million available the first year. “The City’s New Master Bicycle Plan is another great example of Measure R funds at work
—we are investing in bicycling as a viable transportation option and in the process encouraging Angelenos to lead healthy, active lifestyles,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “With the addition of over 1,600 miles of bikeways, Los Angeles is on the path to becoming a world-class city for bicycling.”