The Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) is one of several entities in Los Angeles County to receive millions of dollars in state grants for transportation projects including a rail link to LAX and upgrades to Union Station. A local congresswoman, however, said this week she was disappointed funds were not allocated for a Gold Line rail extension from Azusa to Montclair.
The California State Transportation Agency on Tuesday announced 14 grants totaling $390 million for a variety of transit agencies.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority received a pair of grants:
—$69.2 million for Union Station improvements to allow more frequent service on the Red and Purple line subways; and
—$40 million for construction of a transit station as part of a rail link with the planned Los Angeles International Airport people-mover.
The AVAQMD received $8.9 million for the purchase of zero-emission buses and vanpool vehicles, while Foothill Transit received $5 million for the purchase of 20 zero-emission buses.
The Orange County Transportation Authority was awarded $28 million for the construction of the OC Streetcar project between Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
But Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Ontario) said on Wednesday she was disappointed the state did not award funds for the Gold Line Foothill Extension project.
“The second phase of the extension project from Azusa to Montclair will reduce traffic on the 210 and 10 freeways and improve public transportation options for thousands of residents in the Inland Empire,” Torres said.
“CalSTA has missed an important opportunity to invest in public transportation and fund this promising project, which ultimately will reduce greenhouse gases and ease congestion in Southern California.”
The Transit and Intercity Capital Program grants are intended to assist with projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the transportation system. The 14 projects selected are valued at more than $3.8 billion and will reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 4.1 million tons statewide, according to the agency.
