Saro elected new chair of Alameda Transportation Corridor

Long Beach Councilwoman Suely Saro has been elected Chair of the Governing Board of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) for the 2023-24 term. Los Angeles Councilman Tim McOsker will serve as Vice Chair.

“I’m honored to be selected Chair and, along with my board colleagues, look forward to working with ACTA’s leadership as we see our Port complex continue to play a vital role in moving the nation’s cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency,” said Councilwoman Saro. “The Alameda Corridor is a vital component to a global supply chain and remains a testament to how a railroad infrastructure project improves the health and safety of surrounding communities.”

Elected in 2020 as Long Beach’s first Cambodian American councilmember, Saro represents the city’s Sixth District and has been engaged in numerous efforts to provide growth and leadership opportunities for young women as well as programs that provide education and advocacy on behalf of Asian Americans. She currently serves as a Conservancy Project Development Specialist with the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.

ACTA is the intergovernmental agency formed under the joint-powers authority of the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach that oversees the dedicated section of railway from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles (the “Corridor”). The $2+ billion Corridor project successfully improved conditions in once-impacted communities by consolidating three circuitous rail routes into a single grade separated route along Alameda Street. The Corridor provides an efficient high-speed rail route to handle cargo by rail rather than trucks, which would cause congestion on regional freeways. These rail transportation improvements lead to economic benefits, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced safety.