Caltrans increases Pacific Surfliner project funding to $50 million

California's Caltrans has received nearly $25 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to install global positioning system-based train control equipment on its Pacific Surfliner intercity rail line to improve worker safety and help prevent train collisions and derailments. The state will match the federal funds dollar-for-dollar with 2009 Proposition 1A rail bond funds, increasing the project's funding to $50 million. "Caltrans is committed to safety not only on our highways but also on our three intercity rail lines," said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "As more travelers choose train travel as an option, Caltrans is working with both its local and federal partners to keep riders safe." The safety equipment, Positive Train Control, will be installed on the Pacific Surfliner corridor in San Diego County. The PTC signaling system will increase railroad safety and efficiency by monitoring and controlling train movements. In a partnering effort, the North County Transit District, operator of the Coaster rail service, will install the PTC signaling system on the tracks between San Onofre and San Diego, where the Pacific Surfliner and the Coaster service share the line.