San Joaquin rail commission to receive federal funds for community projects

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) in California will receive $7.4 million in federal funding for the North Lathrop and Manteca Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) stations and a clean locomotive pilot program, the commission announced earlier this week.

The money was included in the fiscal-year 2022 omnibus funding package passed by Congress. The funds are directed to three projects:

• $4.4 million for the Manteca Station rider safety Improvement and station modernization project;
• $1.5 million for SJRRC’s North Lathrop multimodal transfer station project, which is part of the Valley Rail program and ACE extension; and
• $1.5 million for the ACE locomotive zero emission engine Conversion Project, which will help transition existing locomotives to zero-emission technology.

Funding was secured by U.S. Reps. Josh Harder and Jerry McNerney, both California Democrats. The omnibus package also provides funding for the FY2022 infrastructure programs authorized by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

"These investments will help continue to improve and expand passenger-rail options for our region," said SJRRC Chair Christina Fugazi in a press release. "We aim to provide convenient, safe and sustainable transit options and appreciate the recognition by Congress that these station projects and technology improvements are an important part of California’s transportation future."