State-of-the-art structure provides additional parking for bus and train riders
June 18, 2012
ORANGE – A new 814-space parking structure is slated to open tomorrow for commuters at the Fullerton Transportation Center, serving Amtrak, Metrolink and OCTA passengers.
With more than 850,000 Metrolink and Amtrak boardings every year, Fullerton is one of the busiest train stations in the county.
"As Southern California's population continues to grow it becomes increasingly important that we pursue strategies that devote limited resources to infrastructure that enhances mobility - the movement of people and goods from one point to another - yet does so without placing new demands on already overburdened road and freeway networks," said Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva. "This parking structure is another example of how essential interagency cooperation is when addressing regional issues such as transportation."
The four-level structure features a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard to provide direct access to the train platforms, an open design to promote safety and aesthetic elements that integrate with the existing SOCO development.
Construction began on the structure in March 2011 as part of OCTA’s Metrolink Service Expansion Program, which added additional train service between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel. The new structure will augment the current 510 parking spaces available at the station.
“The railroad is an integral part of our past and will be a key player in the economic vitality of our future,” said OCTA Chair Paul Glaab, also the mayor of Laguna Niguel. “With 50 commuter trains stopping daily in Fullerton, and that number anticipated to increase in the coming years, this structure is a necessity to accommodate the current demand and future growth at the station.”
The $33 million project is funded with $10.5 million from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, $10.5 million from Proposition 116 and additional state and local funds.
“The new parking structure is a demonstration of sound environmental stewardship by providing 100 percent of the structure’s power through photovoltaic panels converting light into electricity. This capacity increasing parking garage will serve the ever increasing Amtrak California Pacific Surfliner ridership and provide adequate parking for all Fullerton Transportation Center passengers,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
The structure is located on the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue and was built by Bomel Construction Company.
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