Money was restored to subway construction and other major transit projects in 2008, when county voters approved a half-cent sales tax measure promoted by Yaroslavsky and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.Rich Connell et al, “Challenges Accelerate for Transit,” Los Angeles Times, November 6, 2008 Measure R is expected to generate $40 billion over 30 years. The measure detailed specific rail and highway projects that will be undertaken, including the Purple Line subway on the Westside and the Expo Line, a light rail project backed by Yaroslavsky that begins in Downtown Los Angeles and will end in Santa Monica when completed in 2017.Metro websiteAri Bloomekatz, “Officials approve plans for Expo Line route on Westside,” Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2010 The supervisor was also an early proponent of easing Westside traffic by converting Pico and Olympic Boulevards into complementary one-way thoroughfares.Alan Mittlesteadt, "Antonio's to-do list," Los Angeles City Beat, December 12, 2007
