Rebuilding L.A., Pacific Surfliner restores service, and more

After receiving a $27-million federal grant, the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency has announced that Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner will add three daily round trips between Los Angeles and San Diego, restoring service between the two cities to pre-pandemic levels.

"This grant award will enable the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency to restore and enhance Pacific Surfliner rail service along this vital corridor, which will benefit a wide range of local communities," said LOSSAN agency vice chair and Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung in a news release. "Increasing service levels significantly improves transportation options for residents, students, and visitors along the corridor, making train travel easier and more convenient."

The 11th and 12th round trips will start service in March 2025, with the 13th following November 2025.

California's continues to funnel money and resources toward victims of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.

This week Governor Newsom announced it has received $20-million from the outgoing Biden-Harris administration to create temporary jobs for workers in the impacted areas. Newsom has also asked state lawmakers to dedicate $2.5 billion to the wildfire response in the upcoming legislative session.

Both state and local officials have also looked to ease the burden of reconstruction by speeding permitting and limiting CEQA review for affected properties.

Here's what we're reading this week:

Newsom Orders Suspension of CEQA for Fire Rebuilds Is the California Environmental Quality Act - theoretically written to prevent disasters like these fires - really the big barrier holding back a rebuild? (Streetsblog California)

Newsom's order aims to help Angelenos, but is rebuilding in the same areas a good idea? Others note that residents looking to rebuild fire-damaged houses likely wouldn't need CEQA permits anyway. The bigger issue, they say, is whether Newsom's order encourages risky development in high fire-risk areas. (LAist)

The difficulties of rebuilding in the same spot after the LA wildfires subside Many are vowing to rebuild, but it may not possible to get back what once was. (ABC)

Rebuilding L.A. after devastating fires will be monumental task, experts say The discussion also touched on the potential for economic disparities in the rebuilding process. Williams confirmed that wealthier areas will likely receive faster rebuilding services due to their financial capabilities. (KTLA)

What previous California wildfires can teach us about rebuilding LA The aftermath of other fires suggests tradeoffs between resilience and the economy (HousingWire)

Those rebuilding after L.A. fires will likely face higher lumber prices as Trump tariffs loom In terms of economic upheaval, it could be the construction industry equivalent of what the COVID-19 pandemic did to the economy just a few years ago. (LA Times)

A long road to rebuilding and fights over government funding await L.A. fire victims The federal government covers a lot when it comes to fire recovery. But rebuilding takes a long time and not everything is included, even when politics doesn't get involved. (NBC)

Los Angeles Pushes to Rebuild Homes Fast, Despite Wildfire Danger Some rules have been waived to encourage the swift replacement of burned-out homes. Fire experts say it’s critical that new homes be resilient to future risk. (Bloomberg)

‘Criminally reckless’: why LA’s urban sprawl made wildfires inevitable – and how it should rebuild A century of foolhardy development, including public subsidies for rebuilding in the firebelt, hugely contributed to this tragedy, writes our architecture critic. LA must rethink – and build upwards not outwards (Bloomberg)

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