Mobility 21 Leaders Laud More Than $1.3 Billion Awarded to Transit and Rail Projects in Southern California

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday afternoon awards of more than $1.3 billion in state funding to transit and rail capital projects in Southern California, providing a major boost to regional efforts to significantly improve transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, congestion and vehicle miles traveled.

CalSTA’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) is awarding approximately $2.5 billion to 16 existing projects throughout the state, including $1.3 billion for eight projects in Southern California. This funding was specifically targeted to existing projects that previously received TIRCP grants and demonstrated that a supplemental state grant would leverage or maintain significant local or federal investment. The awards are designed to protect important existing projects by returning them to full funding status and avoiding putting other committed funds at risk.

“I would like to thank Governor Newsom, Secretary Toks Omishakin, and CalSTA for their leadership on transit and intercity rail investments in Southern California,” said Metro CEO and Mobility 21 Chair Stephanie Wiggins. “This funding will help Southern California transportation agencies leverage significant federal resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, help us meet our shared equity and climate goals, and, most importantly, it will help us meet the transit needs of those in our communities.”

“These awards show that Mobility 21 members from throughout Southern California are focused on creating the best infrastructure possible to keep people and goods moving,” said Paul Granillo, President & CEO of Inland Empire Economic Partnership and Mobility 21 Vice Chair.

“This funding supports major projects crucial to implementing transportation strategies to help us achieve our shared regional goals with the State,” said Kome Ajise, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and Mobility 21 Board Member. “In expanding and improving our transit network, we’re meeting regional mobility needs and creating more access to opportunity.”

Recipients of this funding in Southern California:

• Inglewood Transit Connector (City of Inglewood) is receiving an additional $407.4 million in funding, bringing the total state funding to $502.5 million.
• East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor (LA Metro) is receiving an additional $600 million in funding, bringing the total state funding to $805 million.
• LOSSAN Corridor Hardening (LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency) is receiving an additional $6.6 million for its Southern California component, bringing the total state funding to $20 million.
• OC Streetcar (Orange County Transportation Authority) is receiving an additional $150 million in funding, bringing the total state funding to $177.4 million.
• Diesel Multiple Unit Vehicles to Zero-Emission Vehicle Conversion (San Bernardino County Transportation Authority) is receiving an additional $15.7 million, bringing the total state funding to $45.7 million.
• West Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit (San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and Omnitrans) is receiving an additional $18.8 million in funding, bringing the total state funding to $33.8 million.
• University Bikeway Project (San Diego Association of Governments) is receiving an additional $4.2 million in funding, bringing the total state funding to $10 million.
• Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) project (Southern California Regional Rail Authority) is receiving an additional $106.9 million, bringing the total state funding to $303.9 million.

A detailed list of the funding awards and recipient projects is available here.

Representing the Southern California region, Mobility 21 actively works to develop solutions to the transportation issues facing Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. Mobility 21 brings together elected officials, transportation providers, businesses, local municipalities and community leaders.

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Kristin Slocum, Director of Operations and Communications
[email protected] or 949.375.4523