Funding for Caltrain, OC Streetcar preserved in budget deal

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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A federal budget deal reached by Congress on April 30 includes approximately $150 million for two transit projects in California.

 

The budget deal keeps the federal government operating through September and Congress will vote on the deal this week.

Representatives from Caltrain said the deal includes $100 million for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP). Caltrain says approval of the 2017 budget and execution of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) by the Federal Transit Administration would make more than 25 percent of Caltrain’s total $647 million Federal funding request immediately available to start construction of the project.

An FFGA was recommended in January following a full assessment of the project’s merits. However, the decision was delayed by the Trump Administration while the 2018 budget recommendations were being developed.

“We are cautiously optimistic, that bipartisan approval of the budget will be a signal that the administration plans to follow through with a commitment to invest [in] Caltrain electrification so we can put thousands of Americans to work and do our part to help drive the national economy,” said Caltrain Executive Director Jim Hartnett. “Since the news of the delay in authorizing our FFGA, this is an encouraging sign that the efforts of our congressional delegation and the employers and riders who have joined us in advocating for this project are having an impact.”

Another California transit project, the OC Streetcar, also saw $50 million included in the budget deal for the project.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is developing the project, which is expected to cost about $298 million overall. OCTA has been working with the Federal Transit Administration through the federal New Starts program. Other funding is coming from various state and local sources, including Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

“We’re thrilled to see the federal government continue to join us at the local level in recognizing what a strong transportation project this is,” said OCTA Director Miguel Pulido, also the mayor of Santa Ana. “We’ve earned support from our local residents and businesses and we’re happy to partner with the federal government to get the OC Streetcar up and running. This project returns our federal tax dollars to Orange County, leading to additional jobs and increased economic development.”

The House and Senate have until midnight Friday, May 5 to pass the budget deal.

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