Transit Briefs: CTA, OCTA
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive EditorThe Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is receiving $13.96 million for emergency preparedness as part of a U.S. Department Homeland Security (DHS) grant to the state of Illinois. Also, the Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) will begin work this month on a $29.86 million Metrolink station improvement project at Anaheim Canyon.
DHS has awarded the state of Illinois a $121 million grant to improve emergency preparedness. CTA is among the state and local authorities, nonprofit and religious institutions, transportation agencies, and port facility operators that will receive funds to “prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters,” according to U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who made the announcement on July 21.
Under the DHS Transit Security Grant Program, CTA will be awarded $13.96 million “to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.”
The only other transportation agency to receive funding is Aries Charter Transportation, Inc. Its $36,466 award is part of the DHS Intercity Bus Security Grant Program.
OCTA, in partnership with Metrolink regional/commuter rail and the city of Anaheim, is updating and expanding the Anaheim Canyon Station, which is along the Inland Empire-Orange County line. More than 36 trains travel through the area daily. The project will include constructing a new second platform; extending the existing platform; building a new second track (approximately 3,400 feet); improving at-grade crossings; and installing new benches, shade structures and ticket vending machines.
Improvements to the multi-modal station, which connects riders with OCTA and local bus service, will enhance on-time performance and accommodate current and future growth, according to OCTA.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2023. It will be paid for with local dollars from Orange County’s voter-approved Measure M sales tax for transportation improvements (OC Go), and with federal funds.
