Metrolink grant to help fund rail projects in preparation for 2028 Olympics

The California Transportation Commission yesterday awarded $6.5 million to Metrolink to begin design, rail operations modeling and an environmental assessment on the first projects in the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) program.

SCORE is a $10 billion plan to improve regional rail by making service more "reliable, consistent and quieter" in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Metrolink officials said in a press release.

Metrolink's award is the first down payment on an $856 million grant from the Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to provide dollars from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and Senate Bill 1, which will pay for capital improvement projects designed to modernize the state's transportation infrastructure.

“Improving Metrolink will ease worsening traffic here on the nation’s busiest freeways, reduce emissions and ensure that freight can move freely on local freeways and rail corridors to support our powerhouse economy," said California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Annis.

Of the $10 billion cost of SCORE, Metrolink has secured $1.5 billion and the agency will continue to work with partners to seek additional federal, state and local grants, agency officials said.

“SCORE is a regional approach to improve our system to provide 15-and-30-minute service with some lines operating more often during peak hours,” said Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Art Leahy.