California agency slots $51.9 million for passenger-rail upgrades

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) has awarded $51.9 million to seven passenger-rail agencies for various improvement projects.

The funds come from the new State Rail Assistance program established by Senate Bill 1. In April 2017, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill, which will provide $7.6 billion in new transit funding over the next 10 years.

As part of the funding package, North County Transit District was awarded $10.5 million to acquire seven locomotives that comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 4 emission standards.

In addition, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit will receive $10.5 million to increase weekday service from 34 one-way trips to 38. The funds will enable the agency to boost weekend service from 10 trips to 12.

Southern California's Metrolink has been awarded $10.5 million, which will be put toward a $16.3 million signal modernization project. The project calls for replacing aging mechanical signals with modern electronic units; replacing switches; installing new crossovers; and modernizing track infrastructure.

Other recipients, their award amounts and projects include:
• the Altamont Corridor Express, which will receive $2.5 million to initiate weekend service;
• the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, which was awarded more than $13 million for safety, station and signal upgrades;
• the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, which will receive more than $2 million; and
• Caltrain, which was awarded $2.5 million for revenue vehicle rehabilitation, new crossover tracks and a bike parking management plan.