LA Metro applies for $1.4 billion in state funds for transit expansions

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is applying for $1.4 billion from California's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to build six major transit projects.

The project list includes building the West Santa Ana Branch light-rail line between Artesia and downtown Los Angeles, as well as extending the Green Line light-rail route to Torrance. The funds also would go toward building a light-rail line or bus rapid transit route in the East San Fernando Valley.

The remaining three projects involve new bus rapid transit lines. All six projects already have $4.8 billion in local funding, mostly from the Measure R and M sales tax measures, wrote Steve Hymon, editor of Metro's blog.

"On a variety of fronts, Metro is hoping to leverage those funds into state and federal grants to help build these projects and others," Hymon wrote.

In the past, TIRCP has provided $150 million in funding for other Metro projects in the past, including $38.5 million to rebuild the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station and improve Blue Line operations.

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) oversees the TIRCP, which provides funds to modernize transportation infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve transit safety and grow rail ridership, according to Hymon.

The program relies on funds from Senate Bill 1, which was signed into law in April 2017. That legislation enabled CalSTA to award $51.9 million to seven passenger-rail agencies for improvement projects.