Southern California’s Metrolink was awarded a $10.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that will be used to partially fund the Burbank Corridor Speed and Safety Improvements Project. The project will enhance service on Metrolink’s Ventura County and Antelope Valley lines.
“We are thankful to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ronald Batory and California’s Congressional delegation for supporting this award,” said Brian Humphrey, Metrolink Board chair. “These funds will support much-needed safety and operational improvements in a heavily traveled rail corridor.”
The project will improve the tracks and signal controls between Metrolink’s Burbank Airport-South and Glendale stations, reducing train congestion and increasing on-time performance. The track is currently shared with Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight services, and Union Pacific Railroad freight services. The federal award will be matched with state funds to cover the balance of the project.
“With roadways in Southern California at capacity and population continuing to grow, more people are looking for an environmentally-friendly alternative to driving that also allows them to avoid freeway traffic,” added Humphrey. “This grant allows us to improve the service to our customers, so we can continue our record-breaking trend of ridership growth.”