The California High-Speed Rail Authority, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) signed a MoU to steer more than USD 400 million in Proposition 1A funds towards the transformative Link Union Station project.
The Link US project will transform how the regional rail system operates in Southern California by allowing trains to enter and exit the station from both the existing northern tracks and new tracks to the south over the 101 freeway. This is anticipated to significantly increase capacity for rail service while reducing train idling times. The project will also accommodate future high-speed rail service and greatly expand the station’s capacity with a new expanded passageway under the tracks and new platforms, escalators and elevators.
Through the agreement, all involves parties will establish a Link US Executive Steering Committee to coordinate and facilitate delivery of the project. This committee will ensure that all partners work together to allow the Authority to secure approval and release of USD 423 million funding, appropriated by the California Legislature pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 1029, which was signed into law in 2012. The Agreement also ensures that the Link US project will be built to enable future use by California’s High-Speed Rail, Metro, state-supported intercity trains and other passenger and freight rail providers.
Los Angeles Union Station is Southern California’s largest multi-modal transport hub that provides rail connections to six counties (Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange) in addition to serving the very busy Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor.
In the coming months, the authority will next complete a Funding Plan to be approved by the Board of Directors and the Director of Finance. The authority will additionally work with Metro to develop and execute a Project Management and Funding Agreement that describes the project management and reporting requirements.
“We are actively working with our local and state partners on projects such as Link US that will bring both short-term and long-term benefits to millions of Californians. High-speed rail service was always envisioned by the voters to bring riders into the heart of Southern California, and this project is another step towards making that happen,” Authority CEO, Brian Kelly said.
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