A report issued yesterday by the California State Transportation Agency announces more than $1 billion in new funding for planned and under-construction passenger rail projects in Southern California - including a new people mover system in the City of Inglewood and upgrades to Metrolink's regional rail system.
“The projects funded represent critical transportation and will provide alternatives to driving with access to a modernized, public transit system,” said Governor Gavin Newsom in a news release. “California is unwavering in our commitment to our world-leading climate agenda, including record levels of investments in public transportation projects to electrify fleets, expand and improve service, and spark ridership growth.”
The new round of funding, which supplements projects that have already received money from California's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, will go toward L.A. area projects including:
Inglewood Transit Connector ($407 million)
Rendering of a people mover station in Downtown InglewoodMetro
The City of Inglewood will receive $407 million for a more than $1.5-billion people mover system which is intended to connect the recently-opened K Line with destinations such as SoFi Stadium and the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers. That funding, combined with existing local funding streams, is expected to allow Inglewood to compete for a Federal New Starts grant, with the aim of opening the people mover system prior to the Olympics in 2028. That would require a full funding agreement by the end of 2023.
East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor ($600 million)
Route of East San Fernando Valley light rail lineMetro
Metro will receive $600 million for the construction of a long-planned light rail line down Van Nuys Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley, supplementing local tax return that is already allocated to the project, as well as more than $900 million in Federal funds. Utility work began late last year for the East San Fernando Valley Line, which is expected to cost upwards of $2 billion and feature 11 stops on a 6.7-mile route between the G Line busway and Pacoima.
OC Streetcar ($149.8 million)
Map of the OC Streetcar systemOCTA
The Orange County Transportation Authority will see nearly $150 million in supplemental funding for the OC Streetcar project, now under construction between Santa Ana and Garden Grove. The project, which will include four miles of track, is slated to open in 2024.
Metrolink SCORE ($106.9 million)
Metrolink service map following the proposed improvemnts. Image via SCRRA.
Southern California's regional rail provider Metrolink is set to receive nearly $107 million to implement three projects in its $10-billion SCORE program, which calls for strategic investments to enable 30-minute service intervals across the more than 500-mile network. The new state money will go toward the extension of a siding track at the El Monte Station, the addition of roughly two miles of double-track along the Ventura County Line in Simi Valley, and the construction of a new stretch of triple-track in Fullerton.
Besides the above, the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency was awarded more than $20 million for the construction of a new layover facility and right-of-way repairs to the north of Los Angeles County. Additionally, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority has received $15.7 million to transition from diesel multiple units to zero-emission vehicles on its Redlands Passenger Rail project, as well as $18.7 million for its West Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit system.
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