LOS ANGELES — The $106.9 million awarded to Metrolink by the California State Transportation Agency will allow the commuter operator to continue progress on its SCORE (Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion) intiative, a $10 billion capital improvement program with the goal of enabling service at 30-minute intervals throughout the day.
The Metrolink program was among 16 transit projects to receive funding announced earlier this week by CalSTA [see “California agency awards more than $2.5 billion …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 2, 2023].
Specifically, funding will go to double tracking to improve service at the Simi Valley station on Metrolink’s Ventura County Line; the El Monte Siding and Station Improvements Project, with safety enhancements including pedestrian gates and warning devices at the Tyler Avenue grade crossing, along with new pedestrian crossings at the station; and 10 miles of third track through the cities of Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, and Yorba Linda in Orange County.
“These infrastructure commitments are critical to both the regional and national economy,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said in a press release, “and are essential toward making Metrolink a world-class transportation provider in time for the 2028 Olympics.”
“10 miles of third track through the cities of Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, and Yorba Linda”
The line through Placentia and Yorba Linda is BNSFs mainline, with very limited ’91 Line’ service. Just wondering if a 3rd track through that section benefits BNSF lfreight traffic more than it will Metrolink service. Or does Metrolink have plans to dramatically increase traffic on the 91 Line?
Cool 🙂
CalSTA had a lot of money to spend, starting new transit projects, however they can’t find the money to finish the Metro Gold Line, now the “L” line. The line was suppose to go all the way to Montclair , CA. The funding was there, but due to increasing costs of materials and labor, they don’t have enough money to finish the last 3 miles, between Pomona and Montclair. The voters voted for the funding for this Gold Line project, and we expected a complete line like they promised, instead its being spent on starting new lines. Doesn’t it make sense to finish a line, or at least have the funding for it, before starting new projects?