Orange County could benefit from federal investment in California
ORANGE – Transportation officials in Orange County praised today’s announcement by President Barack Obama that lays out a vision for high-speed rail and designates California as one of 10 major corridors eligible for funding.
The move potentially puts California and Orange County in line for a portion of $8 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to develop high-speed rail.
“High-speed rail in the U.S. has finally become a reality. California and the nation are standing on the doorstep of a new era in public transportation,” said Peter Buffa, chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority. “Orange County and Southern California are ready to put federal stimulus dollars to work on high-speed rail projects that will create thousands of jobs, reinvigorate the economy and change the way Californians travel.”
OCTA officials believe Orange County is well positioned to receive stimulus dollars because of work currently under way on the 27-mile Anaheim to Los Angeles segment of the California High-Speed Rail. Environmental work is expected to be completed this year on the high-speed service that would run along the existing rail corridor. The project would then move forward for the public review and approval process.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is the lead agency on the project that could have Southern California commuters riding on trains that travel up to 110 mph by 2015. This is one step closer to the ultimate goal of traveling from Anaheim to downtown Los Angeles in 20 minutes.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will issue specific eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria by June 17 and is expected to solicit applications for funding by late June, with applications due in early August. It’s anticipated that the first funds will be awarded before the end of this summer.
OCTA will work closely with CHSRA, Caltrans and Metrolink during the application process in an effort to secure a maximum amount of funding for Southern California. Californians showed their support for high-speed rail in November by passing a $9 billion bond measure to help fund the project between Anaheim and San Francisco.
For more information on today’s announcement, visit: www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/31
