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CTC Approves 11 Rail-Related Infrastructure Projects

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Among CTC’s recently approved rail-related projects is a new San Diego Maintenance and Layover Facility for the maintenance, support and storage for Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trainsets.

Among CTC’s recently approved rail-related projects is a new San Diego Maintenance and Layover Facility for the maintenance, support and storage for Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trainsets.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated more than $1.4 billion for state projects to improve transportation infrastructure. Of that total, $67.78 million is for 11 rail-related efforts.

California’s Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, accounts for more than half of this investment or $884 million. Download the complete project list below.

Among the CTC-approved rail-related projects are:

• Hanlon Lead Railroad bridge replacement, Oakland, Alameda County, $11.7 million.

• Light rail vehicle acquisition, Sacramento Regional Transit District, $23.6 million. Eight new low-floor LRVs will be purchased for Gold Line service, replacing older vehicles that have exceeded their 25-year useful life. The new LRVs will feature improved accessibility with wider aisles, built-in storage for luggage, and space for bicycles.

• El Monte Station grade crossing safety improvements, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, $2.29 million. The project covers preliminary engineering and environmental documentation for grade crossing safety improvements to be implemented at Tyler Avenue and Cogswell Road in Los Angeles. The project is one component of the SCORE Program for Metrolink’s regional/commuter rail system that will enable 30-minute bi-directional service on the San Bernardino Line.

The CTC has provided funding for pedestrian safety improvements on San Diego Trolley’s UC San Diego Blue Line. Pictured: The first Siemens Mobility S700 LRV on the 11-mile Mid-Coast Extension of the Blue Line, which is slated to begin service in November.

• Signal optimization, BNSF junction control point, Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, $5 million. The North County Transit District (NCTD) will construct three new control points and related trackwork, wayside signaling, switches, and Positive Train Control (PTC) upgrades at the south entrance of the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego County. The work will improve safety, overall on-time performance for NCTD and rail partners on the LOSSAN corridor, and service capacity.

• San Diego Maintenance and Layover Facility, Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, $748,000. This project will design and construct a dedicated maintenance, support and storage location for Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trainsets at the southern end of the LOSSAN rail corridor. Included is 1.25 miles of new track to accommodate five trainsets.

• Valley rail trackwork and stations, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission/San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, $14.46 million. The project covers PS&E (plans, specifications and estimates) for trackwork and station improvements at Lodi, Sacramento Midtown (excluding off-side bicycle improvements), Natomas, a layover facility at Natomas, and Union Pacific siding and curve realignment trackwork at various locations along the Sacramento Subdivision (excluding Del Paso and Phillips sidings).

• San Diego Trolley Blue Line corridor transit enhancements, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, $600,000. The project includes the design of pedestrian safety enhancements on Kettner Boulevard, adjacent to Santa Fe Depot, at America Plaza. 

The CTC has provided funding for the East Basin Rail Gateway expansion at the Port of Long Beach.

• Goose Lake Railway track rehabilitation, California Department of Transportation, $433,000. This project will replace 1.25 miles of curve worn rail on the Pit River Canyon in Modoc County near Alturas, Calif.

• Sacramento Valley Railroad capacity expansion, California Department of Transportation, $664,000. This project will construct two additional tracks, 1,311 feet in length, at McClellan Park, where there are currently seven tracks.

• Santa Cruz County-Pajaro River Bridge rehabilitation, California Department of Transportation, $285,000. The 575.5-foot, 23-span structure on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line will be rehabilitated to extend service life and accommodate increased freight capacity.

• East Basin Rail Gateway expansion at the Port of Long Beach (POLB), City of Long Beach, $8 million. The expansion project is located at the Fourth Track at Ocean, along a POLB-owned rail corridor that serves the East Basin, which comprises the easterly marine terminals at Middle Harbor, Pier G and Pier J.

Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin

“California continues to make significant investments in fixing our roads, highways, bridges and transit systems,” Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin said. “SB 1 is critical to making these repairs and upgrades, while also supporting thousands of jobs that are essential for our economy.”

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