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Culver City accepts multiple transit grants; council splits vote on Sepulveda congestion‑relief award
Summary
Council approved several transportation grants to fund bus lanes, microtransit and 17 replacement buses; one federal congestion‑relief Sepulveda grant drew additional scrutiny and was voted on separately, passing 4–1 after assurances of outreach.
Culver City’s City Council on Jan. 27 approved a package of federal, state and local transit grants to expand bus service and mobility options, but bifurcated a federal congestion‑relief award for the Sepulveda corridor to allow additional neighborhood outreach.
Director (Interim Chief Transportation Officer) Dimitri described grants that would fund dedicated bus lanes, enhanced transit service on Jefferson, on‑demand microtransit pilots and the purchase of replacement buses. He cautioned that accepting certain competitive awards carries deadlines and that the city risks losing the funds if it delays action.
Council first approved items A, C, D and E on the agenda (motions carried unanimously). Council then voted separately on item B — the Federal Highway congestion relief program (CRP) award for Sepulveda — after several councilmembers requested additional community engagement because the corridor affects small businesses and on‑street parking. The separable vote to accept item B passed 4–1, with Council Member Vera opposing. Councilmembers said they accepted the grant but expect robust outreach and study of parking and access impacts before design or construction proceeds.
"Accepting these grants tonight should not be construed as approval to construct and implement any of these projects," Dimitri said, stressing that designs are at an early stage and staff would return for subsequent approvals.
City staff will return with outreach summaries and design updates as the projects move from planning toward design and construction. The council emphasized the need to coordinate timing and mitigation for local businesses that may be affected by bus‑priority improvements.
