Light rail to LAX moving forward

A new light rail line from downtown Los Angeles to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is moving closer to reality thorough a $546 million federal loan to Los Angeles County, reports the Associated Press.

The almost nine-mile line is expected to create 5,000 jobs; and, equally important, improve transit options in heavily congested Los Angeles County. The new line will link with two other light-rail lines in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County voters previously approved a half-cent increase in the sales tax to help fund the line, reported the Associated Press. The federal loan is expected to accelerate the $1.4 billion project.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2018.