Metrolink reduced emissions at central maintenance facility

Metrolink has completed a voluntary health-risk assessment of its central maintenance facility in Los Angeles. The assessment was completed in response to community requests for information about the facility's operations.

Operational improvements implemented at the facility between 2010 and 2017 will reduce area emissions by 79 percent, while the health risk to individuals with maximum exposure to the facility's emissions is expected to decline 83 percent during the same time period, Metrolink officials said in a press release.

In addition, off-site sources, such as Interstate 5 and other nearby freeways and roads, produce more emissions than the facility, according to the assessment.

"Voluntarily completing this assessment was completely the right thing to do, and we appreciate the collaborative input from community members, area elected officials, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and the South Coast Air Quality Management District in order to make this an assessment we can build upon," said Metrolink Chairman Larry McCallon. "This is part of our ongoing efforts to make operational improvements to serve the communities and transit riders of Southern California."

Metrolink became the first commuter railroad in the country to purchase new low-emission Tier 4 locomotives. The units will produce 83 percent fewer particulate matter emissions than current older engines, agency officials said. The first Tier 4 locomotive is scheduled to be delivered in 2015, with the remaining locomotives expected to enter service in 2016 and 2017. Metrolink has allocated more than $150 million for the purchase of up to 20 of the locomotives.