State Approves More Than $1.1 Billion in SB 1 and Cap and Trade Funds for SoCal Rail to Improve Service, Ease Freeway Traffic

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) announced it is awarding Metrolink and Southern California regional rail state grants totaling $1.175 billion on Thursday, April 26.

This is the largest single award of grant funds Metrolink has ever received and, when leveraged with federal and other funding, will transform regional passenger rail service to serve more riders and get cars off freeways.

Metrolink developed the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) plan in partnership with freight and intercity rail operators as a roadmap to increased rail service to accommodate expected population and job growth in advance of 2028, when Los Angeles will host the Olympics. This grant is an exciting first step in funding our SCORE vision for commuter rail in the region.

This award will provide much-needed funding for expansion projects and rehabilitation to ensure we can continue to operate a safe, reliable system for the future in Southern California.

Metrolink will receive $875 million from the State’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Nearly half of that grant will be used to extend run-through tracks at L.A. Union Station south across the US 101 Freeway so trains don’t have to enter and exit from the same side of the platform. This project could save up to 20 minutes in travel time for riders.

The balance of the TIRCP funds will be used for significant investments in infrastructure called for in the SCORE plan, such as adding track, signals and additional station platforms, so we can provide more reliable, frequent service throughout Southern California. These funds will help provide at least 30-minute service in both directions on key rail corridors that serve Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Additionally, improvements at crossings will be funded to help ensure cities can implement Quiet Zones to reduce noise associated with the routine blowing of train horns.

In addition, the State awarded three additional TIRCP grants, one each to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency (Metro), the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) that also benefit Metrolink service.

Finally, the State awarded an another $300.3 million in other related grant programs to fund construction of a new station in Santa Clarita, grade crossing separations in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura counties and a passenger rail line extension to Redlands, all of which improve Metrolink service.

These grant programs help meet the State’s climate and air quality goals and are funded by SB 1 state gas tax and Cap and Trade proceeds.

We are excited to continue our goal to create a more connected Southern California.