CTC awards $96 million to 11 California rail projects

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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One of the 11 projects to be awarded LPP funds: The existing bridge over the Batiquitos Lagoon will be replaced a concrete double track bridge.
SANDAG

Caltrans released details surrounding $173.4 million in grants awarded to 57 projects by the California Transportation Commission. Out of the pot of funds awarded, $96.4 million will go toward 11 state rail projects.

 

The grants are the first round of Local Partnership Program (LPP) grants funded through the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB 1). Last week, the California State Transportation Agency awarded $51.9 million in State Rail Assistance program funding made possible by the same legislation.

“These grants will act as matching funds for local entities that have already chosen to make their own extra investments in transportation. Through SB 1, local agencies can have the funding to do their part in helping us rebuild California’s transportation infrastructure,” said Malcolm Dougherty, director of Caltrans.

Transit projects in the state to benefit from the funds include:

  • $7.98 million to the Alameda County Transportation Commission for the ACTC 7th Street Grade Separation East Segment, which will reconstruct an existing underpass, as well as track and other infrastructure at the Union Pacific mainline.
  • $9.4 million to the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority for the SCCVTA Capitol Expressway LRT Extension (Eastridge-Alum Rock), which is a proposal to extend the existing Capitol Light Rail system by 2.3 miles along an aerial guideway.
  • $1.5 to the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District for the SMART Rail Maintenance Equipment Expansion, which will acquire specialized rail transit maintenance equipment.
  • $58.4 million to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for several projects including:
    • $23.941 million for the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor
    • $19.745 million for the Green Line Extension (Redondo Beach-Torrance)
    • $14.8 million for the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station Mezzanine Improvements project
  • $18.9 million to the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission for several SANDAG projects including:
    • $10.72M for the LOSSAN Batiquitos Lagoon Double Track/Bridge (MP234.5-MP235.5)
    • $3.5 million for the LOSSAN San Dieguito Lagoon Double Track/Bridge/Platform
    • $2 million for the LOSSAN SD Subdivision Doubletrack (CP Eastbrook – CP Shell)
    • $1.72 million for the LOSSAN SD Subdivision Sorrento to Miramar Phase 2
    • $1 million for the LOSSAN SD Subdivision Signal Respacing/Optimization

Catrans explained that the LPP was created by SB 1 to provide counties, cities and regional transportation agencies that have passed sales tax measures, developer fees or other imposed transportation fees with additional support for local projects from the state. The LPP creates a continuous appropriation of $200 million annually to fund road maintenance and rehabilitation, sound walls and other transportation improvement projects. These funds are distributed through a 50 percent statewide competitive component and a 50 percent formula component.

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