Rep. Mike Levin Announces $9.8 Million Grant for North County Transit District to Modernize Systems
San Juan Capistrano, CA – Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Levin (D-CA) announced that the North County Transit District (NCTD) will receive $9,836,917 to modernize its train and crossing control systems. The funding comes from the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair program and was secured following a letter from Rep. Levin to the Federal Railroad Administration in support of NCTD’s application for the grant.
“The rail corridor through North County San Diego is vital for our regional economy, and I’m excited to announce that the North County Transit District will receive nearly $10 million in federal funding to upgrade its systems,” said Rep. Levin. “I wrote to the Federal Railroad Administration earlier this year urging them to consider this much-needed funding to help ensure that people and goods continue to move throughout Southern California on modern and reliable train systems. I’ll continue to work with local partners like the North County Transit District to bring more federal funding to our District.”
“I am excited that NCTD was awarded this grant and appreciate Congressman Levin’s efforts to support improved rail operations,” said Tony Kranz, NCTD Board Chair and Council Member for the City of Encinitas. “This grant builds on our efforts to increase passenger and freight train frequencies to support mobility, economic, and environmental goals”.
The funding will advance the San Diego Next Generation and Grade Crossing Modernization Project to upgrade signaling and positive train control systems along the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor. Current train control and crossing equipment on the San Diego Subdivision pre-date 1991, the year that the railroad was purchased from the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. The current equipment is reaching the end of its useful life. NCTD has developed a phased program of projects that will improve signal reliability, reduce train delays, and enhance safety for passenger and freight services. The $9.8 million of funding from the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair program grant will be matched with $9.8 million in state and local funding for a total project budget of $19.7 million. The project will be ready to bid by mid-2021.
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